Instagram has rolled out a new Map feature that allows users to share their real-time locations with friends, marking the platform’s latest attempt to compete with Snapchat’s popular Snap Map functionality. The launch has received backlash from users concerned about privacy and safety implications.

The feature, which appeared for users Wednesday, August 6, 2025, enables friends to see each other’s locations on an interactive map within the Instagram app. Location sharing is off by default on Instagram Map, and a user’s location only updates when they open the app, so it doesn’t provide real-time location updates, according to the company.

Despite these built-in privacy protections, the feature has sparked significant concerns among privacy experts and users who worry about potential safety risks and unauthorized location exposure.

The controversy prompted Instagram head Adam Mosseri to address user concerns directly in a Threads post. “We’re double checking everything, but so far it looks mostly like people are confused and assume that, because they can see themselves on the map when they open, other people can see them too,” Mosseri wrote. He added that the company is “still checking everything though to make sure nobody shares location without explicitly deciding to do so, which, by the way, requires a double consent by design.”

The timing of Instagram’s map launch appears strategic, as the platform seeks to capture features that have proven successful on rival platforms. Snapchat’s Snap Map, introduced in 2017, has been widely adopted by younger users who appreciate the ability to see where friends are hanging out and discover local events.

For users concerned about privacy, Instagram has made the feature entirely optional. Meta says it has made it easy for Instagram users to opt out of the feature, though some users report being unaware the feature existed until they discovered it in their settings.

The Map feature represents Instagram’s continued evolution beyond photo-sharing, as the platform increasingly focuses on real-time social connections and location-based experiences. For now, the feature is only available to users in the United States, with no announced timeline for international expansion. Whether users will embrace the feature despite initial privacy concerns remains to be seen as Instagram monitors the US rollout.