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Attorneys general

37-State Coalition Urges Instagram to Protect User Privacy after Location-Sharing Feature Launch

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Attorneys General from New Mexico and Georgia have led a 37-state effort in urging Instagram to protect user privacy after the launch of its new location-sharing feature. The feature, which allows users to share their precise real-time locations, poses significant risks to vulnerable groups, including children and survivors of domestic violence. The coalition is demanding that Instagram take immediate steps to safeguard users, including prohibiting minors from enabling location-sharing and providing clear alerts to adult users about the feature's risks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 37-state coalition, led by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, has sent a letter to Instagram's Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, expressing serious concerns about the platform's new location-sharing feature.
  • The feature allows users' precise real-time locations to be displayed on a map, posing significant privacy and safety risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and survivors of domestic violence.
  • The coalition is urging Instagram to take immediate steps to safeguard users, including prohibiting minors from enabling location-sharing and providing clear alerts to adult users about the feature's risks.
  • The coalition also recommends that Instagram allow adult users who opt in to easily disable the feature at any time.
  • The New Mexico Department of Justice is engaged in ongoing litigation against Meta for its failure to protect young users and its false representations about the safety of Meta's platforms.
  • The 36 additional states joining the coalition are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Statistics:

  • According to the letter, Instagram's location-sharing feature has the potential to facilitate stalking, harassment, and exploitation.
  • Minors are particularly at risk, as predators could use the feature to identify and geographically target children.
  • The coalition is urging Instagram to take immediate steps to protect users, with 37 states joining the coalition to demand action.

Sources:

  • Protect Instagram User Privacy Multistate AG Letter (https://nmdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/Protect-Instagram-User-Privacy-Multistate-AG-Letter.pdf)
  • Official Press Release from the New Mexico Department of Justice (https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/attorneys-general-of-new-mexico-and-georgia-lead-37-state-effort-urging-instagram-to-protect-user-privacy-after-location-sharing-feature-launch/)

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