Tech expert Kurt Knutsson breaks down Instagram’s latest tools, addressing safety fears
Instagram has rolled out three innovative features to enhance user connectivity: Friend Map, Repost, and a Friends tab in Reels.
While these updates aim to foster closer connections, the Friend Map has sparked significant privacy debates due to misconceptions about location sharing, raising questions about user control and safety.
Repost Your Favorite Content Sharing Made Simple
The Repost feature allows users to share public Reels and feed posts directly with their followers, appearing in both their feeds and a dedicated profile tab for easy access.
This functionality helps users revisit favorite content and boosts creators’ visibility, as reposts can reach new audiences beyond the original creator’s followers.
To repost, tap the repost icon, add an optional note, and save—the post will credit the original creator, ensuring proper attribution.
Explore and Share With Friend Map Controlled Location Sharing
The Friend Map feature enables users to opt in to sharing their last active location with selected groups, such as mutual followers, Close Friends, or a custom list.
Users can disable location sharing at any time, and Meta clarifies that live location is never shared unless explicitly activated. “Instagram Map is off by default, and your live location is never shared unless you choose to turn it on,” a Meta spokesperson told Fox News.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, emphasized that location-tagged Stories only share a place with followers for 24 hours, not real-time positioning.
Parents with supervision tools enabled receive notifications if their teen activates location sharing, with the option to disable it.
Beyond Location Sharing
Friend Map also allows users to explore Stories, Reels, and Notes tagged with locations from friends and followed creators, enhancing content discovery.
However, the feature has fueled confusion, with viral posts on X and TikTok claiming it exposes home addresses without consent. Mosseri addressed these concerns, stating, “Your location is only shared if you choose to share it, and only with a select group you designate.”
Discover More in the Friends Tab Curated Social Content
The Friends tab in Reels showcases public content that friends have liked, commented on, reposted, or created, alongside recommendations from joined Blends.
Users can hide their own activity or mute others to customize their feed, ensuring a tailored experience focused on preferred content. This feature aims to spark conversations and deepen social engagement on the platform.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways Navigating Connection and Privacy
Instagram’s latest tools offer exciting ways to connect, with Reposts simplifying content sharing, the Friends tab fostering social discovery, and Friend Map enabling spontaneous meetups—if users manage settings carefully.
The privacy concerns surrounding Friend Map highlight the need for vigilance. “Take time to review who sees your location and adjust settings regularly,” advises Knutsson.
For parents, these updates are a chance to discuss online safety with teens, especially given the risks of location data misuse highlighted in recent debates (e.g.,).
Broader Implications
The controversy echoes broader 2025 tech trends, such as AI-driven privacy issues () and regulatory pushes like the EU’s Digital Services Act.
While Instagram emphasizes user control, critics on X argue that default settings and unclear communication could lead to unintended data exposure, particularly for younger users.
The feature’s similarity to Snapchat’s Snap Map, which faced similar backlash since 2017, underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing connectivity with safety in social media.
This article is based on a report by Kurt Knutsson, published by Fox News on August 9, 2025. Additional context was drawn from posts on X discussing Instagram’s Friend Map and related privacy concerns.
