Heads up for Instagram users

[TommyT139]

I don't use Instagram, but many people do. If you have younger people in your life, it may be their primary social platform. In August, Instagram implemented real-time location tracking.

Instagram’s New Tracking Feature: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe 

https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/internet-security/instagrams-new-tracking-feature-what-you-need-to-know-to-stay-safe/

Meta has unleashed a groundbreaking feature that transforms Instagram from a photo-sharing platform into a real-time location broadcaster. While the company promises enhanced connectivity, cybersecurity experts are sounding alarm bells about potential dangers lurking beneath this seemingly innocent update.

Instagram’s freshly minted “Map” functionality represents a seismic shift in social media architecture. Unlike traditional posting where you deliberately choose what to share, this feature operates as an always-on location transmitter that continuously broadcasts your whereabouts to selected contacts whenever you launch the application.

I read the article as saying you can turn off sharing, but not the data collection (and use by Meta aka Facebook) itself. The article does include instructions for controlling what you can, so please read and share.

Unfortunately, once a "feature" becomes tolerated on one major social site, you can expect it will be picked up by others.