Meta launched an update to Instagram this week that includes a new feature called Instagram Map, which can share an account’s last active location whenever the app is opened — even if no location is added to a post.
Anyone logged into a shared Instagram account on their phone could unintentionally expose their personal location, raising real privacy and safety concerns. TFD recommends going into the app’s settings and turning off location sharing with Meta to protect the privacy and security of social media managers and staff on your team.
How to Disable Instagram Map Location Sharing:
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Open the Instagram app while logged into the brand account.
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Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
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Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner.
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Select Settings and Privacy.
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Scroll down and tap Location Sharing or Instagram Map (naming may vary).
Tap Who can see your location and set it to No one.
🔁 Repeat these steps on every device where the brand’s Instagram account is logged in.Take It One Step Further: You can also turn off Instagram’s access to your phone’s location entirely — this is done through your device settings, not the Instagram app itself.
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Go to your phone's Settings.
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Find and select the Instagram app.
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Set location to Never or only While Using the App.
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Repeat for Facebook and Messenger as well.
🔁 Repeat the same steps for Facebook and Messenger, as they also have location-sharing features tied to Meta’s ecosystem.
Learn more about this update:
- Facebook: New Instagram Features to Help You Connect (🙄)
- This Reel from @CyberSecurityGirl shows how to change your settings
- Washington Post: Instagram Map lets your friends and possibly exes track your every move
- Engadget: Adam Mosseri says 'people are confused' about how the Instagram map works
- Mashable: How to turn your Instagram location on or off
- Vulture: Instagram Hops on the Surveillance-State Trend