Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

'You Just Never Know Who's Watching:' Instagram Users Panic Over False Location-Tracking Rumors A viral meme spread false claims that an Instagram update allowed criminals to see users' locations.

By Sam Silverman Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Instagram users are feverishly changing their location settings after a meme falsely claiming that the app is tracking their locations for ill intent went viral.

With the word "IMPORTANT" written at the top in red text, the graphic, shared by influencer marketing firm Goal Digger Coaching, warned, "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." It continued, "Please make sure 'precise location' is turned off. You can do this by going to your phone settings, Instagram, location & then make sure precise location is turned OFF."

The post sent people into a panic, with one user tweeting, "Please turn your precise location off on Instagram. That is so scary! Even if you think it's off, double-check. Mine was on and I had no idea." Another said, "Instagram is wilding with the Precise Location though! If you can please turn that [s–t] off, people are crazy out here and you just never know who's watching [your] whereabouts."

However, Instagram's "precise location" feature, which does allow apps to use your location data, is nothing new and was introduced in 2020 with iOS 14, per PC Mag. Google also implemented the technology with its Android 12 update. Following the initial launch, several updates have allowed users to control these settings, with iOS 15.6.1 giving users the option to track their location "Never, Ask Next Time or When I Share, While Using the App or Always." Precise location is activated by default, but for people who select "Never" and turn the setting off, "apps can only determine your approximate location."

Although the precise location feature is helpful for apps that connect you to local resources, Instagram denied the claim that this data is being used or given to others.

"We've seen a meme going around about how Instagram uses 'precise location,'" Instagram Comms, the official handle of Instagram's PR team, tweeted on August 25. "To be clear, we don't share your location with others. Similar to other social media companies, we use precise location for things like location tags and maps features," it added in another tweet. "People can manage Location Services via their device settings, and tag locations on their posts if they want to share that information."

Sam Silverman

Content Strategy Editor

Sam Silverman is a content strategy editor at Entrepreneur Media. She specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), and her work can be found in The US Sun, Nicki Swift, In Touch Weekly, Life & Style and Health. She writes for our news team with a focus on investigating scandals. Her coverage and expertise span from business news, entrepreneurship, technology, and true crime, to the latest in entertainment and TV news. Sam is a graduate of Lehigh University and currently resides in NYC. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

Meta Fires Employee Making $400,000 Per Year Over a $25 Meal Voucher Issue

Other staff members were fired for the same reason, per a new report.

Thought Leaders

These 3 Trends Will Change What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur in 2025

Here are three entrepreneurship trends from the new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report that are changing the landscape for the future.

Business News

These 3 Side Hustles Make the Most Money While Working Fewer Hours, According to a New Survey

The survey also found that having a side hustle doubled as a path to becoming more employable.

Franchise

The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It

This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.