Overview
- Meta expanded Instagram Map from its August U.S. debut to European markets, including Germany, enabling in‑app viewing of mutual followers’ locations.
- Users access the feature via Direct Messages, where locations update only while the app is in active use and the last position disappears after 24 hours offline.
- Location sharing can be set to nobody, Best Friends, selected people, or all mutual followers, and Hidden Places let users exclude sensitive spots such as home or work.
- Place‑tagged Posts and Reels also appear on the map, and users can react or reach out via direct messages without making their own location visible.
- Teen accounts come with guardian oversight to view or disable sharing, as outlets highlight stalking and youth‑safety risks and publish iOS and Android steps to turn off location access.