Instagram Map Appears for Users in Brazil

Overview

• The Instagram map rolled out to more Brazilian users on Thursday, June 11, and let people see others’ precise or recent locations on an interactive map accessed from direct messages.
• Meta acknowledged the rollout was accidental, issued an apology and said it is working to correct or remove the feature for users in Brazil.
• Federal deputy Erika Hilton asked the Ministério Público Federal to suspend the map and open an inquiry, arguing the design uses dark patterns and endangers women, children, the elderly and people with low digital literacy.
• The tool displays locations tied to posts and stories and is presented as opt‑in, but critics say the interface may nudge users to share and that location estimates can come from network signals even when GPS is off.
• The feature follows an August 2025 U.S. launch that drew complaints from 37 state attorneys general, and the MPF review and Meta’s corrective steps will shape whether Brazil moves toward legal or regulatory limits.