Instagram’s new location tracking feature accused of attracting stalkers — here’s how to make sure it’s switched off

Instagram launched a slew of new features on Wednesday — and users say one of them is a win for stalkers.

The new Instagram Map allows users to share their real-time location with followers.

With location sharing turned on, your location will be updated every time you open the app for certain followers to see.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said the new feature is a “lightweight way to connect with each other,” and though location sharing is off unless you opt in, many people are raising concerns over safety.

“This is supposed to be so you ‘link up’ faster,” one user said in a Reel. “Just in case to be safe though … go through your settings and make sure it’s off.”

“Hey so I actually hate this,”one replied. “There are actual stalkers on here.”

“As ladies, please turn it off,” one woman warned fellow females, implying that there was an element of danger to the setting.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, shared a “clarification” on his page this morning noting, “your location will only be shared *if* you decide to share it, and if you do, it can only shared with a limited group of people you choose. To start, location sharing is *completely off.*”

But people in his comment section weren’t convinced.

“My location was automatically shared to all my followers before the feature was even rolled out. HUGE security risk. Y’all fumbled this HARD,” someone shared.

“This is the worst feature, you guys could have added its really unnecessary and not safe for a lot of us,” another said.

“This feels so unsafe. SO UNSAFE! Especially that last bit about tagging stories and having that show on the map to followers,” one wrote. “Many of us tag in arrears to be safe. I don’t want anybody knowing where I’ve been because they know that I might also go there again in the future. Especially in a small place.”

“I’m actually sick to my stomach!” a user said.

The Post has reached out to Meta for comment.

How to check if your location is turned off on Instagram

1. On the top of your DM inbox, go to “Map,” located in the Notes area.
2. Tap the icon to open the map view.
3. In the top right corner, select the Settings icon.
4. Under “Who can see your location,” select “No one.”
5. Tap “Done” to save your settings.
6. For parents with supervision set up for your teen, you have control over their location sharing experience on the map. You will receive a notification if your teen starts sharing their location and can decide whether your teen has access to location sharing on the map as well as see who your teen is sharing their location with.

Along with Map, Instagram also introduced reposts, a way for users to share their favorite public reels and posts, as well as see the content friends are enjoying.

Reposts will then be recommended to friends’ and followers’ feeds, and they’ll show up in a separate tab on your profile.

The platform also added a new “Friends” tab in Reels where you can see content that your friends have liked, created, reposted or commented on.