INSTAGRAM has set the record straight on how it uses “precise location” after memes went viral suggesting criminals can see exactly where you are.
Posts and videos liked by hundreds of thousands claim that cyber crooks can stalk you with the “creepy” feature.
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It urges people to switch off precise location within the iPhone settings to avoid falling victim to theft.
But there’s no proof the option is being exploited by criminals.
“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 including theft, stalking etc,” one post liked more than 145,000 times said.
In fact, the feature isn’t even new, as the viral meme suggests.
It was first introduced by Apple back on iOS 14 in 2020 and was actually intended to give people more control.
Instagram has decided to officially shoot down accusations.
“We’ve seen a meme going around about how Instagram uses ‘precise location’,” the firm tweeted.
“To be clear, we don’t share your location with others.
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“Similar to other social media companies, we use precise location for things like location tags and maps features.
“People can manage Location Services via their device settings, and tag locations on their posts if they want to share that information.”
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri also added: “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.”
What is Precise Location on iPhone and Instagram
Precise location basically gives apps a clearer view of where you are.
This is pretty important for things like Google Maps when you want guided navigation.
Other apps like Instagram have it there for when you tag your location in posts.
That way you can get a more detailed location of the fancy restaurant you’re at, for example.
But you need to actively select it yourself – Instagram won’t just do it for you with everything you share.
And there’s no evidence anyone has hacked the feature to obtain your location without you knowing about it.
Moreover, you can easily switch off precise location in the iPhone settings.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
