Instagram's 'sneaky' feature returns after a year, users call it 'invasive' and 'diabolical'

Instagram users were greeted with the return of a feature, which has been dubbed diabolical by many. According to The Sun, the new feature allows others to see what you have liked, sparking debate about the possible invasiveness of the update.

According to ABC News, this is not the only feature that has been launched by the app. The launch news of these new features was announced by Meta, the parent company that manages Instagram.

More about the new Instagram features

Instagram announced its new set of features on Thursday, August 6, stating that they have made it possible for friends and followers on Instagram to better reconnect with each other.

The new "repost option" allows users to easily repost a post of their choice, much like on X (formerly Twitter), whereas the map option will let a person's friends on the app know about their potential location. The location option is optional. A user can choose whether they want to share their location. They can even select the designated group of people with whom they choose to make their location visible. The announcement read:

"Today, we’re launching several new ways to help you better connect with your friends on Instagram. People have always come to Instagram to share what they’re up to and where they are. Now, with reposts, the map, and the “Friends” tab in Reels, it’s easier for you and your friends to stay in touch through the content you’re enjoying on Instagram."

According to USA Today, since the new feature allows others to know about a person's location, users argue that this makes it potentially dangerous and an invasion of their privacy.

Along with the two above features, Instagram is also introducing a new tab in the Reels section that will allow users to know what posts or reels have been liked by their friends. The announcement further added:

"We’re introducing Friends, a new tab in Reels where you can see public content your friends have interacted with, or recommendations from Blends you’ve started, and easily start conversations about them. Friends will help you see which reels the people you care about most are creating and engaging with. We started rolling Friends out earlier this year, and are now excited to launch it globally."

Although the map/location feature has been criticized for its violation of privacy, these features have been launched to help creators spread their content and help friends connect on the app better through their shared likes and interests.

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