Overview

• Instagram has rolled out a global Map feature that updates a user’s location whenever the app opens and lets people share with followers, Close Friends, select individuals or no one.
• Some users reported that their precise locations appeared on the Map without opting in, driving concern among creators, privacy experts and lawmakers.
• Meta and Instagram head Adam Mosseri reiterated that location sharing is fully opt in and can only be enabled by users through in-app prompts.
• The update adds a Hidden Places setting for blocking specific areas, along with in-app instructions and OS-level permission controls to help users fine-tune their privacy.
• Alongside the Map rollout, Instagram introduced a Reels repost button and a Friends tab to make sharing short-form videos easier for users.