Meta-owned photo and short video platform instagram has quietly introduced its new Friend Map feature in India. This tool allows users to see the real-time location of their friends, share hangout spots and find common meeting places. Its concept is somewhat similar to Snapchat's Snap Map. Although it has been created to increase offline connections between friends, questions are also being raised about privacy and safety.
Objective of Friend Map
Meta says that the purpose of this feature is to inspire friends to meet offline, help find new places nearby and make sudden meetings easier. It has been introduced as a fun social tool, which can strengthen personal connections. But through this, followers can also track someone's movement, due to which there is a danger of it turning into a stalking tool.
Friend Map Features
Real-time location sharing: Only visible if the user has turned it on.
Real-time location sharing: Only visible if the user has turned it on.
App and content-based tracking: Recent location is saved when you open instagram or tag a location in a post/story.
Location history: Frequent check-ins can reveal patterns of your movement and favorite places.
Meta integration: Works by linking with data from facebook and Messenger.
How to use it on your phone?
Go to the Messages section of instagram and turn on the Friend Map option.
Decide who can see your location in the location sharing settings.
You can share location or turn it off completely if you want.
This feature is currently rolling out gradually in some countries, including India. By default it will be off, unless you turn it on.
What will users benefit from?
Easy to plan meetups with friends nearby.
Discover new and common hangout spots.
A more interactive and social experience on Instagram.
Privacy concerns increased
According to security experts, this feature can be as dangerous as it is convenient.
Privacy concerns increased
According to security experts, this feature can be as dangerous as it is convenient.
Physical risk: Stalking, harassment or getting information about being away from home.
Digital exploitation: Data used for targeted advertisements, scams and profiling.
Data leak: Meta's previous data leak cases show that location data can be attractive to hackers.
Lack of encryption: Location data is not end-to-end encrypted, which allows Meta and cyber criminals to access it.
Meta's vision for Instagram
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