Instagram just rolled out a controversial new update that’s sparking widespread concern and confusion among users. The platform has reintroduced a feature that lets your followers see every reel you liked, along with new tools like content reposting and a real-time location map — and many users aren’t happy.
If you’ve been on Instagram since the early days, you might recall when the “Following” tab let users spy on what their friends were liking and commenting on. That feature was quietly removed in 2019 after backlash over privacy concerns. Now, in 2025, Instagram is essentially bringing it back — and people are already calling it a “privacy nightmare.”
The most talked-about part of the update is a new Friends tab in the Reels section, which shows all the reels your mutual followers have liked. Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the changes in a video post, claiming the update is designed to strengthen social connections by letting users see content liked by people they care about — rather than random viral content pushed by the algorithm.
However, the reaction online tells a different story.
Many users immediately voiced discomfort over the feature, especially those who prefer to keep their Instagram activity private. Memes, jokes, and warnings have flooded Twitter and TikTok, with people urging others to “be careful what you like now” and calling it a stalker’s paradise. The mood is summed up by one viral tweet: “Instagram just became the worst place to hide your guilty pleasures.”
But the weirdness doesn’t stop there.
The update also includes a repost button — something many users have wanted for years — allowing people to easily share others’ content on their own profile. While generally well-received, it’s overshadowed by the final and most controversial addition: the real-time location map.
This map feature allows users to share their live location with either their “close friends” list or a customized list of followers. According to Instagram, it’s meant to make it easier to explore location-based content and connect in real life — similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map.
Still, users have serious concerns. Many see the location sharing feature as a major safety risk, especially for women and younger users. Online reactions have been largely negative, with people calling the feature “creepy,” “dangerous,” and “unnecessary.”
“I don’t need my followers knowing I’m at the coffee shop down the street,” one Reddit user posted. Another commented: “We already have stalkers. Instagram really said, ‘Let’s give them a map.’”
While the map feature is opt-in and customizable, critics say Instagram is underestimating the real-world safety concerns that come with exposing location data — even to a supposedly trusted list of followers.
Some users are now considering turning their accounts private, or disabling location entirely. Others are calling for Instagram to roll back the update or at least give users the ability to fully hide their likes from others.
The backlash highlights a growing divide between what social media platforms think users want — and what users actually value: privacy, control, and the ability to engage without being watched.
Only time will tell if Instagram listens to the criticism or doubles down on its strategy to mimic Snapchat and TikTok features. Until then, users might want to think twice before liking that reel or sharing their next check-in.
