Earlier this Summer sneaky monitoring of internet surfing was observed. This was accomplished by updating established applications. A new example of how an update can impact users in disagreeable ways has come up with Instagram’s new Map feature.

This month Meta, the corporate parent of Instagram, introduced a new map view, which is accessed at the top of the direct message interface. Users do not have to do anything to add this feature, in fact individuals must take the time to opt out if they would prefer not to be included.

Two types of locations are shown. The first are locations that the user tagged in recent stories or posts. The second is passive, allowing others to see the location where the application was last used. In regard to privacy, even Neil Armstrong might say that this is a giant leap. Instagram is an application that claims to be dedicated to personal expression, not geolocation.

So what is the problem? One might not want to broadcast information unintentionally. For example, did you mean to notify anyone and everyone that you were sitting in the waiting room of a medical specialist last Thursday? Beyond the issue of gossip, experts warn that location sharing can be used to exert a stressful and possibly dangerous locus of control.

Data is the new oil, and tracking the topology of your life provides a component that can be monetized. Once patterns are discerned, products and services tied to them can be offered. For instance, John sits around at his daughter’s ballet class every Tuesday afternoon. Now he is going to receive a coupon from the coffee shop next door. This is clearly a win-win situation, since the merchant gets his business while Meta gets paid too.

The best part of all this is that John gets caffeinated, but there are other possible scenarios that are not so benign. Some are darker than the murkiest percolated brew from the dingiest church basement. Even worse, there is decaf.

Stop this madness by selecting “no one” under “who can see your location” in the Instagram application settings menu. This is directly to the right of the user avatar in the messaging interface. Don’t tag locations in posts, stories or reels as a rule, however do it case by case if you feel it adds value. As an added step, stop third parties from collecting geolocation data about you by adjusting your phone’s overall settings. It is possible to turn off access to location data, application by application.

One of the new rules that we must abide by is that what constitutes an enhancement is in the eye of the beholder. Location data is sensitive because it discloses patterns showing where individuals go, and when they go there. Just because this information can be used to generate revenue does not mean that there should not be genuine safety concerns.

Strive to take control of the content that you produce, and do not default into oversharing by allowing the tedium of managing to overwhelm you. On the other hand, don’t tweak yourself into a frenzy about who can see what depending on who they are either. A benefit of social media is that it can provide a soapbox for every person. It’s a kind of equal opportunity idiocy.

This can be your story. Craft it your way, with purpose and with pride.

If you have any questions about managing online information about your location, call 828-837-2210 for an appointment.