The new feature launched by Instagram to geolocate users through their posts arouses strong concerns about privacy.
All inspirations may not be good to take. The novelty of the Meta social network which is inspired by the location map offered by Snapchat is a fine example. Launched with great fanfare, the Instagram MAP allows via the publication of a post to share its location live. A functionality that arouses the worries about many users concerned for their privacy. Instagram boss, Adam Mosseri, is however reassuring, reports CNBC.
Easy surveillance
Discontents are multiplying on social networks. Some users complain about the lack of information concerning the functionality indicating that it “Reveals everyone’s location without any warning”. Others go further, evoking a risk of surveillance on the part of attackers via this functionality.
A default deactivated function
Complaints heard by Mosseri, which specifies, on threads, that checks are made so that no user “Do not share his position without having explicitly chosen it”.
Faced with the remarks of users who indicate that their location had been divided without them activating the card function, Instagram retorts that the “Instagram Map is disabled by default and your live position is never shared, unless you choose to activate it”. The social network adds that this functionality is only activated with “The people followed in return” or a “Private and personalized list ».
For the moment, this feature is reserved for American users. With an international deployment, it remains to be seen if the functionality will modify its prevention messages to avoid confusion.