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Attention, data protection! How to protect your location on Instagram!
Find out how Instagram and Facebook record the exact location of their users and which data protection measures should be taken into account.
Attention, data protection! How to protect your location on Instagram!
In the digital world we live in, there is a constant discussion about data protection and privacy. This is particularly true for social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, which are part of everyday life for many users. The new “Precise Location” feature is currently causing a stir and, for some, brings an unexpected dimension of surveillance into play.
According to that COURIER Instagram and Facebook users can share their location with the apps. This means that the apps record and use the users’ exact GPS location. The fear of possible consequences, such as stalking or theft, is not unfounded. Influencers warn about the risks of this feature, which not only endangers personal safety but also privacy.
How does location sharing work?
The function itself is not activated by Instagram by default, but must be actively added to a post or story. During a KURIER self-test, the testers found that the exact location is not automatically published, even if the function is activated and a rough location is given.
Instagram primarily uses geographic data for internal purposes, such as personalizing content and suggesting location tags. However, if you are concerned, you can adjust your location data in your device's general settings and select the "Never" or "When using the app" options to regain control of your data.
Data protection and individual settings
How TechRadar reported, the problem is not unique to Instagram. Apple and Google have also updated their privacy policies regarding location sharing. Apple allows you to specify an approximate location, and Google offers similar options that vary from 3.5 to 25 square kilometers.
Users should definitely adjust their location settings to decide whether they want to tag their location in posts. There are simple instructions for iOS users: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Instagram > Turn off “Precise Location”. On Android, users can find this under Location > Google Location Accuracy.
Data protection on the Internet – a certain risk
Concerns about data protection are not new. Loud Data protection expert Many social networks have received large fines for data protection violations in the past. In particular, the loss of exclusive usage rights to photos on Facebook is a hotly debated topic.
Trust in data security is important. It is advisable to check what information you share and to be strict about your privacy settings on social networks. Users should be aware that their data – even if they are in the EU – often does not enjoy the same protection when shared with platforms outside the EU.
Given all this information, it is critical that we examine our own social media usage behavior and ensure that we remain in control of our personal information. The digital world can bring with it some dangers that should not be underestimated.