What’s happening
- The map can show your exact, real-time location tied to stories.
- For some people, location sharing was on by default. Post from home and you might reveal your house to every follower.
- People have already been doxed. Friends have found precise home addresses just by scrolling the map.
- Instagram says opening the app can re-share your location for 24 hours. Assume it’s on unless you turn it off.
How to turn it off fast
- In DMs
- Open DMs (top-right chat bubble)
- Scroll the top bar to “map”
- Tap the prompt or the top-right settings and set location sharing to “no one”
- In Profile settings
- Profile (bottom-left icon) → three bars (top-right)
- Tap search and type “story live” → open “Story live and location”
- Location sharing → turn Off (or limit to Friends / Close Friends)
- On your phone
- iPhone: Settings → Instagram → Location → set to Never or Ask Next Time; toggle off Precise Location
- Android: Settings → Apps → Instagram → Permissions → Location → Deny; or Allow only while using and turn off Precise location
My take
Great for events. Terrible for privacy. Double-check these settings after app updates, and never post from home with location on. Stay safe out there.
Note that this feature has been rolled out to the US/Canada, so I might (not yet) appear in your Instagram.