ISLAMABAD:
Meta has announced the rollout of the Instagram Map feature in Pakistan, offering users a new, interactive means to discover localized content and enhance social connection. The launch emphasizes the platform’s commitment to user control by incorporating strong privacy safeguards as a core component of the experience.
The latest feature, announced on October 4th, is directly accessible at the top of users’ Direct Message (DM) inboxes.
The new functionality allows Pakistanis to share their location and explore Stories, Reels, Posts, and Notes with location tags. This makes it easier to find out what friends and favourite creators are sharing from concerts, local cafes, or community hangouts. Crucially, users retain the option to share their last active location with only selected friends, close friends, or no one at all.
Privacy remains central to the deployment. Location sharing is always off by default, ensuring users have absolute control over who views their data. A persistent indicator at the top of the map clearly signals whether location sharing is active, and reminders are displayed when users add new location tags to content.
For parents, Meta has included features that allow for full oversight, enabling them to view and manage their child’s location sharing preferences.
Meta refined the Instagram Map before its launch, implementing updates such as removing profile photos from map content, clarifying the indicators when location is disabled, and providing previews of how tagged content will appear. This feature follows an earlier wave of updates introduced on August 6th, which included a repost function, the initial live location map framework, and a refreshed Reels interface designed to highlight friend engagement. The continued focus on localized, secure interaction reflects a broader strategy to deepen user engagement in key markets like Pakistan.
