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Meta has unveiled a new “Map” feature that could change Instagram forever shifting it from a photo-sharing platform to a real-time location broadcasting system.
The tool allows users to continuously share their live location with selected contacts whenever the app is opened, updating coordinates automatically without a manual post. While it offers convenience and a visual live map for friends, it also introduces serious privacy and security risks.
How It Works
Unlike traditional posting, this always-on transmitter logs your position every time Instagram launches or returns from the background. This can result in multiple location updates per day, building a detailed movement profile of the user.
The system is reminiscent of Snapchat’s Snap Map, but with Instagram’s massive 2+ billion active users, the scale of potential data exposure is unprecedented.
Security Concerns
McAfee analysts warn that while location sharing isn’t inherently malicious, it creates high-value targets for cybercriminals and can normalize ambient surveillance. Risks include:
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Targeted advertising exploitation
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Potential stalking scenarios
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Misuse in abusive relationships
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Advanced social engineering & identity theft
Chief Technology Officer Steve Grobman stressed that the tradeoff between convenience and security needs to be clearly understood by users. Without full awareness of what’s being shared and with whom, the feature could easily shift from a social connection tool into a security vulnerability.
The Mosaic Effect
The most dangerous aspect, according to researchers, is the mosaic effect. Where attackers combine seemingly harmless location snippets with other social media posts to create highly detailed personal profiles. This can aid in answering security questions, tracking routines, and even physical targeting.
Data Retention Issues
Instagram says active location sharing data is stored for only three days, but underlying location logs for other platform functions may be kept longer under separate policies, further complicating privacy safeguards.
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