Friend Map feature of Instagram launched in India, know how to use, benefits and safety warning

New Delhi. Instagram, which is a photo and short-format video platform of Meta, has quietly launched a new feature ‘Friend Map’. This new tool will help users to see the location of their friends in real-time, share hangout spots and find common meeting places. This feature is like Snapchat’s Snap Map. Although it has been designed to promote social interaction, but it has also raised concerns about privacy and safety.

Friend Map: Idea behind it
META says that the new Friend Map feature will help friends to connect offline, discover the local places and make meatups more spontaneous. It has been introduced as a fun, social feature that strengthens personal connections. But for the people you follow, it can also be used as a stocking feature.

The main things of the Friend Map feature on Instagram:
1. Real-time location sharing: When your friend has given permission, see their location.

2. App and Content-based location tracking: When you open Instagram and tag the location in a post or story, the recent location is logged.

3. Location History: Over time, repeated check-in reveals travel patterns and frequent places.

4. Integration with meta services: It works with the infrastructure of the Meta, causing Facebook and Messenger data links.

How to use this feature on your phone?

1. Enable Friend Map in the messages of Instagram and go to the ‘Map section’ there.
2. Adjust the location-sharing settings so that you can choose who can see you.
3. You can share your location with friends or close it completely.

Availability: This feature is gradually rolling out in many countries, including India. Since it is opt-in, you will not appear on the map until you enable it in settings.

How will this feature help users?
-It will be easy to plan to meet with friends.
– Share hangouts and trending can search for local spots.
– There will be a more interactive and social instagram experience.

Concerns about safety
Although the friend map can be convenient, security experts warns of big risks:

Physical Safety Risk: It can be anxious. Because you are telling that you are out of the house and where are you. This can cause harassment

Digital exploitation: Data can be used for targeted advertisements, scams and profiles.

Data Violation Risk: The previous data leaks of the meta can lead to an attractive goal for data hackers.

Meta stores this information without end-to-end encryption, which means that the company (and potentially cyber criminals) can reach your location history.