Meta rolled out the Instagram Map feature on August 6, 2025, enabling users to share their real-time location with mutual followers, select friends, or custom groups - though only if they opt in. Despite these assurances, numerous users reported waking up to find their location publicly visible, including private addresses, prompting viral posts expressing shock and distrust . Creators and advocacy groups criticized the rollout, citing privacy risks—especially for women, survivors of domestic abuse, and other vulnerable groups .

Adding to the alarm, a bipartisan group of 37 U.S. state attorneys general raised urgent safety concerns, particularly for minors, calling on Meta to disable the feature for underage users and strengthen privacy controls .

Though advertised as opt-in and safe, Instagram's Map has reignited debates on location privacy, digital surveillance, and corporate responsibility in protecting users from unintended exposure.