Instagram's Friend Map feature launched in India, know how to use it, benefits and safety warning..

Instagram, which is Meta's photo and short-format video platform, has quietly launched a new feature, 'Friend Map'. This new tool will help users see their friends' locations in real-time, share hangout spots, and find common meeting places. This feature is similar to Snapchat's Snap Map. Although it is designed to promote social interaction, it has also raised concerns about privacy and security.

Friend Map: The idea behind it

Meta says that the new Friend Map feature will help friends connect offline, discover local places together, and make meetups more spontaneous. It has been introduced as a fun, social feature that strengthens personal connections. But it can also be used as a stalking feature for the people you follow.

Key points of Friend Map feature on Instagram:

1. Real-time location sharing: When your friend has allowed, see their location.

2. App and content-based location tracking: When you open Instagram and tag a location in a post or story, recent locations are logged.

3. Location history: Over time, frequent check-ins reveal travel patterns and frequently visited locations.

4. Integration with Meta services: It works with Meta's infrastructure, linking Facebook and Messenger data.

How to use this feature on your phone?

1. Enable Friend Map in Instagram's Messages and go to the 'Map section' there.

2. Adjust the location-sharing settings so you can choose who can see you.

3. You can share your location with friends or turn it off completely.

Availability: The feature is slowly rolling out in several countries, including India. Since it is opt-in, you won't appear on the map unless you enable it in the settings.

How will this feature help users?

– It will be easier to plan get-togethers with friends.

– You can discover shared hangouts and trending local spots.

– There will be a more interactive and social Instagram experience.

Security concerns

While Friend Map can be convenient, security experts warn of major risks:

Physical security risks: It can be risky. Because you are revealing where you are and when you are away from home. This can lead to harassment.

Digital exploitation: Data can be used for targeted ads, scams and profiling.

Data breach risks: Meta's previous data leaks could make location data an attractive target for hackers.

Meta stores this information without end-to-end encryption, which means the company (and potentially cybercriminals) can access your location history.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News 18 hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.