After a viral post claimed otherwise, Instagram clarifies that it does not share app location with followers.

In this day and age, where everything is posted to the internet in seconds, it is also incredibly easy for people to spread rumours, which end up going viral even before the information is validated.

For the past week, a story has been circulating on social media that a new app update for Instagram on iOS activates Precise Location on a user's phone, broadcasting their precise location to the public.

However, many users are unaware that Precise Location is not a new feature, and that it is intended to give you more control over how apps and services monitor your location. Let's take a closer look at the viral post and what Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has to say about it.

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No, Instagram Isn’t Sharing Your Location With Others

In response to the viral post, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri clarifies that the service does not share your location with others. Instagram, like other companies, claims to use precise location to aid in the addition of location tags and map features. Users can also control their location services via the device settings.

Wanted to share this ???? for clarity. Location Services is a device setting on your phone, not a new feature from Instagram, and it powers things like location tags. We don’t share your location with other people. https://t.co/6R6XMOCppj

— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) August 25, 2022

For the uninitiated, the viral post stated, "Since a new update, people can find your exact location from Instagram, and this is being used by individuals to target people to commit crimes such as theft, stalking, and so on (sic)."

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Precise Location was introduced by Apple in 2020 with iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7, and it will soon be available with Android 12. The choice is not limited to Instagram. Cab booking apps like Ola and Uber use this setting to help the driver find your location and pick you up.

While this viral story was proven to be false, if you're still concerned about apps and services tracking your exact location, there are steps you can take to keep them from knowing. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services on your iOS device to see which apps have access to your location.

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This page also allows you to disable application location access. Turning off Precise Location for apps like Google Maps, Ola, Uber, Zomato, and Swiggy, on the other hand, may cause service issues.