Instagram's Friend Map Is Here—But Are You Sharing More Than You Think?

Instagram has officially expanded its Friend Map feature to India, giving users a new way to stay connected by sharing their real-time location. But with this rollout comes a critical question: are users fully aware of what they’re sharing?

What Is Friend Map?

Friend Map is a location-sharing tool that lets you see where your Instagram friends are and what they’re doing—if they’ve opted in. It’s accessible through the Inbox Notes feed and shows live updates on a map. While the feature is off by default, confusion around location permissions has sparked privacy concerns.

Privacy Confusion and Instagram’s Response

When Friend Map first launched in the U.S., many users believed their location was being shared without consent. Instagram clarified that the feature is opt-in, but admitted that previous location tags in stories and posts may have led to unexpected visibility on the map.

To address this, Instagram has added several updates:

• A persistent indicator at the top of the map shows whether your location is being shared.
• A profile badge in the Notes tray clarifies your sharing status.
• Educational reminders explain how location tags affect map visibility.
• A preview tool lets users see how their tagged content will appear on the map.

These changes aim to make location sharing more transparent and user-controlled.

What This Means for Indian Users

With these updates in place, Instagram has launched Friend Map in India. Users can now opt in to share their location with friends, with clearer indicators and privacy safeguards.

As Instagram continues refining the feature, expect it to roll out in more regions soon. For now, Indian users can explore this new way to stay connected—while keeping an eye on what they’re really sharing.