Instagram's location-sharing feature is facing scrutiny from a bipartisan group of 37 attorneys general, including Illinois' own Kwame Raoul. The group penned a letter to the social media giant demanding immediate changes to the newly implemented tool that displays users' precise locations on a map. In this letter, obtained by Illinois Attorney General's office, concerns are raised over public safety and data privacy.
Raoul and the other attorneys general are voicing their unease, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and survivors of domestic violence. "Location sharing should be an optional feature that users and guardians can turn off to help prevent the dangers associated with predators using social media to learn the location of a child or domestic violence survivor," Raoul said. Addressing the risks it poses, they urged in the letter that minors be prevented from using the feature and for Instagram to alert a map showing adult users to the potential risks.
The letter sheds light on the need for transparency from Instagram, stressing that users should be fully aware of how the platform will use their location data. Moreover, it requests that Instagram provide a straightforward way for adults to opt out of the feature, offering accessible controls to toggle off location sharing as they deem necessary.
Advocating for user safety, the coalition critiques Meta and Instagram's prioritization of product development over the privacy of their users. Raoul, along with his counterparts from states including Alabama, Arkansas, and New York, argued that by implementing these safety measures, Instagram would uphold user privacy without stripping away the adults who may consent to share their locations. These states, spanning from Nevada to Vermont, have come together, stressing the urgency for Instagram to prioritize the well-being of its users over the novelty of its products.
With attorneys general from across the United States, such as Texas, Utah, and West Virginia, lending their support to Raoul's call for action, Instagram is receiving a clear message: the stakes of digital privacy and security cannot be underestimated in an age where social media platforms like Instagram play a pivotal role in the public sphere.
