By Rachel Kaser
Instagram appears to be testing a new setting which would allow it to share user location data with parent company Facebook meaning Facebook would have a near-complete picture of your movements even if you dont use its own app.
First spotted by researcher Jane Wong, the feature appears under Instagrams privacy settings, buried in the fine print about Location History.
But dont take my word on that last bit. Heres the description of the service in the settings, as shown in Wongs screenshots:
When Location History is on, Facebook will periodically add your current precise location to your Location History even if you leave the app. You can turn off Location History at any time in your Location Settings on the app. When Location History is turned off, Facebook will stop adding new information to your Location History which you can view in your Location Settings. Facebook may still receive your most recent precise location so that you can, for example, post content thats tagged with your location.
Raise your hand if youre surprised. After all, Instagram is a Facebook product, much as its fans would like to forget that fact. The recent departure of its founders and the appointment of Facebook stalwart Adam Mosseri have only served to bridge what was already a slim gap between the two apps.
Theres no telling when, if ever, Location History will eventually roll out. A spokesperson told TechCrunch the feature is one of many features currently in development.
This article has been previously published on The Next Web.
Rachel is a writer and former game critic from Central Texas.