My Role
Design strategy for how Instagram explains location data to users (what’s collected, why it’s used) under increasing regulatory pressure as well as new ways to control it. Worked closely with Product Management, Engineering, Legal, Policy, Content Design, and User Research.
What shipped
A set of transparency features across device consent flows, settings, and profile surfaces to close major comprehension gaps and reduce risk.
The impact
Improved user understanding and confidence, with experiments showing 10% higher privacy decision efficacy and strong engagement with permission controls (73% of users took action).
Problems
User problems
Users don’t understand what location data Instagram uses or how to control it
Many rely on incorrect assumptions about privacy and visibility
58% of U.S. users believed profile elements (like bio) are hidden on private accounts
Business problems
Inconsistent transparency language created regulatory risk (United States Omnibus priority)
Over-reliance on OS permission dialogs left gaps in explanation and informed consent
Proactively address scrutiny around sensitive data
Goals
Proactively respond to regulatory pressure around location data, reducing risk for Meta and ensuring Instagram can continue to operate in key jurisdictions
Enhance users’ understanding of why and how their location data is being used, increasing their trust and confidence in using Instagram
Scope and constraints
Worked within Meta’s strict consent UI requirements for designing device permission pre-prompts, as well as followed Apple’s HIG
As location is considered sensitive data and the topic of many regulations, we collaborated closely with Legal and Policy to provide the right level of transparency that stayed consistent with language used on other Meta apps
Engineers ran into many edge cases with Android. We had to work quickly to update designs quickly as we encountered problems
Process
Auditing location data use
Audited location-related experiences across Instagram to establish a baseline for transparency
Tracked inconsistencies in visuals and language across surfaces
Identified gaps where we relied on OS permission modals without explaining data use
Created a visual roadmap to highlight opportunities and align the team
Prioritizing areas for improvement
Using an existing transparency framework and research on users’ transparency goals, I created a scoresheet to grade how Instagram was or was not meeting user goals for location transparency based on findings in the audit.
Solution Sprint
Led cross-functional brainstorming to generate solutions
Prioritized concepts using a framework across user impact, business value, regulatory risk, and technical feasibility
Quickly mocked and shared directions with design leadership for feedback
Iterated rapidly based on input from design, product, and cross-functional partners
Key Decisions
Don’t rely on OS permissions alone
Introduced pre-prompts to explain data use before system dialogs, improving informed consent.
Bring control into the product
Made device permissions easier to access and understand within Instagram instead of relying on buried OS settings.
Add transparency where confusion happens
Used contextual education (e.g., in bio) rather than a single centralized hub.
Standardize language across surfaces
Reduced regulatory risk by aligning how location data use is explained across the app.
Solutions
Consent pre-prompt
Introduced a pre-permission screen explaining what location data is used for and how to control it before the OS modal.
Device permissions settings
Created a centralized way to view and update device permissions within Instagram, including location settings.
Location filter in Your Activity
Allows users to find and remove location data from their posts without deleting content.
Bio visibility transparency
Added inline education clarifying that bios are always public, even on private accounts.
Impact
Device permissions: 73% of users who visited settings took action; 78% granted access
Pre-prompts: +10% increase in privacy decision efficacy vs. control
Bio transparency: +4.1% increase in perceived privacy understanding and control
User research also showed improved understanding among teens, helping close knowledge gaps and proactively reduce regulatory risk.