Instagram adds feature that lets people see how often you're using the app

The feature is on by default

Instagram Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Kevin Systrom speaks during the launch of a new service named Instagram Direct in New York December 12, 2013 (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

People can now see how often you're using Instagram and when.

The app has rolled out a new feature that allows your friends to see when you last opened it. If you're on at the moment they do, they'll see what you're doing.

Such snooping is restricted only to people you follow and those that you've sent direct messages to in the past. But it is enabled by default and many people who are accidentally making their Instagram habits public might not even know it.

The feature is switched on by default, and finding what people are up to is hidden inside of the messages view. You can see the feature for yourself by heading to messages and looking at the people you've talked to before – on the messages view, next to their name, you'll be able to see a list of when they were last active.

In that view, you'll see how many hours or minutes ago the person was "active". If they're using Instagram right that moment, you'll see that they they're "active now".

It isn't clear why Instagram has added the feature, or what it expects it to add to the platform. But it is part of Facebook's attempts to make data more public, which also include the fact that Facebook Messenger tells people when you've seen their messages, a feature that can't be turned off.

Some apps like Snapchat have even gone further, adding features that allow followers to see where a person is at any time.

Thankfully, it's fairly easy to turn the feature off, for now. It's done by heading into the settings and finding the "Show Activity Status", where it can be toggled off – until that's done, it will be on by default.

Another, similar feature on Instagram tells people when you've read their messages, by putting a little "seen" next to the post. That can't be turned off.