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Are Snapchat conversations permanently deleted?

Are Snapchat conversations permanently deleted?

Snapchat is a popular messaging app that advertises itself as a way to send photo and video messages that disappear after they are viewed. One of Snapchat’s key selling points is that conversations are not permanently stored and are deleted after 24 hours. This gives an illusion that Snapchat messages disappear forever once you’ve sent them. But is this really the case? Let’s take a closer look at whether Snapchat conversations are truly permanently deleted.

How Snapchat deletes messages

When you send a snap on Snapchat, it is initially stored on Snapchat’s servers until the recipient views it. Once the recipient opens the snap, a timer starts counting down based on the duration you selected when sending it (1 to 10 seconds). After the time expires, the snap is removed from the recipient’s device and Snapchat’s servers.

Behind the scenes, Snapchat does not immediately delete snaps from their servers when the timer runs out. They are retained for a brief period in case they need to be retrieved, such as if the message failed to send. Snapchat states they delete snaps from their servers once they can confirm it has been received on the recipient’s device and opened.

Unopened snaps

If a snap goes unopened, Snapchat will retain it on their servers for up to 30 days, in case the recipient comes back to view it later. After the 30 day period, unopened snaps are deleted.

Snapchat Memories

Users can also save snaps they receive to their “Memories” archive in the app. These Memories can be retained indefinitely and are encrypted locally on the user’s device. Users can delete individual Memories whenever they want.

Can Snapchat conversations be recovered?

While Snapchat deletes messages from their servers, there are still ways conversations can be recovered, either by users or by Snapchat itself in some cases.

Snaps saved externally

Recipients can take screenshots or photos of snaps they receive before they disappear. Users may also use third party apps or workarounds to covertly save incoming snaps without the sender knowing.

On Android, it’s possible to access received snaps stored temporarily on the device even after they have disappeared from the app. So technically, users can retrieve snaps after the timer expires if they know where to look.

Retrieve from Snapchat

Snapchat stores some data for a period to improve and analyze their service. This includes some messaging data, though specifics are not made public.

Snapchat says this stored data is not used to share information with third parties. And while possible, retrieving messages from their systems after deletion would be complex and require bypassing encryption.

Legal requests

Snapchat may retain certain data if compelled by legal requests and court orders, such as search warrants in criminal investigations. The types of data accessible will depend on the nature of the request and applicable law.

For civil cases between users, Snapchat maintains they are generally unable to retrieve snaps or chat logs after deletion. However, other evidence such as Memories saved by a user could be obtainable with a valid legal request.

Does deleting the app delete conversations?

Deleting the Snapchat app itself does not affect whether conversations have been deleted or can be recovered.

Deleted snaps are removed from Snapchat’s servers regardless of whether you have the app installed. And any snaps saved externally or in Memories will remain accessible if you reinstall.

Effects of deleting the app:

  • You lose access to view any unopened snaps still on Snapchat’s servers, as they are deleted after 30 days.
  • Memories saved on your device will be deleted unless you have a backup.
  • You can no longer view snap history or take any other actions requiring the app.
  • Conversations and snaps already deleted from Snapchat’s servers will remain deleted.

How long does Snapchat keep conversations?

Here is a summary of how long different Snapchat conversations and messages are stored before being deleted:

Snapchat Data Storage Time
Opened snaps Up to 30 days on servers after being opened
Unopened snaps Up to 30 days on servers
Chat messages Up to 30 days after sent
Memories Indefinitely until user deletes
Stories 1 day by default

As shown in the table, most standard snaps and chats are deleted within 30 days from Snapchat’s servers. Unopened snaps also expire after 30 days. Memories saved by the user persist indefinitely or until manually deleted.

Key points:

  • Snapchat deletes most messages from their servers within 30 days after sending.
  • However, users can save conversations externally or in Memories.
  • Deleting the app doesn’t affect whether messages are deleted from servers.
  • Legal requests may require Snapchat to retain some message data.

Does deleting a conversation delete it forever?

Deleting a full conversation thread in Snapchat does not necessarily delete the messages forever, for a few reasons:

  • The conversation will still be available in the deleted sender’s chat history for up to 30 days.
  • Individual snaps you received may have been saved by the other user externally or to Memories.
  • Parts of the conversation may exist as cached or backup data on Snapchat’s servers.

However, deleting a chat makes it inaccessible within the main Snapchat app for both you and the sender. This gives the appearance that the conversation is gone forever, even if traces exist externally.

To delete a conversation fully:

  1. Delete the thread from your chat screen in Snapchat.
  2. Delete any snaps you saved from the other user in Memories.
  3. Ask the other user to delete their copy of the thread and any snaps saved.
  4. Wait 30 days for all chat data to be purged from Snapchat’s servers.

Following this process ensures the conversation is deleted across all accessible records and locations. However, remnants of the conversation could still remain in system caches that cannot be directly controlled or confirmed.

Can police recover deleted Snapchats?

Yes, police and law enforcement may be able to recover some deleted Snapchat messages with legal authority.

Ways police can attempt to retrieve deleted Snapchat conversations include:

  • Obtaining the phones of both parties and searching for saved media, third party apps used, or forensic artifacts of deleted files.
  • Requesting Snapchat provide available cached or backup data for the account through a search warrant or subpoena.
  • Asking Snapchat to preserve account data pending legal process if known in advance.

The specific data recoverable will depend on how much Snapchat has retained, what users may have saved externally, legal jurisdiction, and other case specifics that dictate process options.

Challenges police face:

  • Snapchat’s automatic deletion makes traditional data recovery difficult.
  • Encryption limits access to residual serverside data.
  • Users often have little ability to save or record snaps to aid recovery.
  • Timeliness is required to request preservation before deletion.

While possible in some cases, recovering deleted Snapchat messages is generally much more difficult for police compared to persistent messaging apps. The limited timeframe and encrypted nature of Snapchat data severely reduce what can be retrievable after the fact.

Can Snapchat employees see deleted conversations?

No, Snapchat employees are generally unable to view or retrieve users’ deleted conversations:

  • Snaps are encrypted from end-to-end, meaning only the sender and recipient have the keys to decrypt them.
  • Conversations are automatically deleted from Snapchat’s servers within 30 days.
  • Employees do not have system permissions to access private account data.

Snapchat’s internal systems are designed to prevent internal abuse of access privileges. Controls include:

  • Access limitations to production infrastructure.
  • Encryption to create separation between client data and servers.
  • Logging and review of internal data access.

Exceptions may occur with legal requirements, such as search warrants compelling Snapchat to provide employee access to certain account data. Absent these legal demands, Snapchat maintains employee access to conversations is not feasible by design.

When employees may get involved:

  • Law enforcement requests approved through legal process.
  • Recovering data after user requests account recovery.
  • Debugging issues reported by a user.

But in these cases, employees are only permitted the minimum access and duration required to fulfill the specific request or troubleshoot the issue.

Should you trust Snapchat for confidential conversations?

Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to have confidential conversations on Snapchat:

Pros:

  • Messages automatically expire so there is less permanent record.
  • End-to-end encryption protects conversations in transit and at rest.
  • Screenshot detection lets you know if someone takes a screenshot.

Cons:

  • Users can misuse features like Memories to retain conversations.
  • Metadata like who you talked to and when is not encrypted.
  • Legal requests can compel Snapchat to provide some conversation data.

For casually daily use among friends, Snapchat provides a quick and fun way to share moments. But for highly sensitive conversations:

  • Delete conversations frequently instead of indefinite retention.
  • Avoid using Memories or other ways data could be saved.
  • Use an app focused on privacy like Signal for the most confidential discussions.

While not completely bulletproof, Snapchat still gives more control over lifespan and visibility of conversations versus platforms like SMS or Facebook Messenger. But ultimately your specific privacy concerns should dictate whether Snapchat is an appropriate communication channel.

Summary – Are Snapchat messages really deleted forever?

In summary:

  • Snapchat deletes the vast majority of conversations from their servers within 30 days.
  • But remnants of data may remain in cached and archived systems.
  • Users can also intentionally save conversations through screenshots, external apps, and Memories.
  • Police may be able to recover some deleted data with legal authority.
  • Recovering Snapchat messages after deletion remains difficult compared to other messaging apps.

While Snapchat has stronger privacy protections than many platforms, the exact lifespan and recoverability of conversations depends greatly on user behavior. For absolute confidence in deletion, more secure end-to-end encrypted apps dedicated to privacy are recommended for sensitive communications.

The key point:

Snapchat does delete the vast majority of conversation data automatically after 30 days. But snippets of conversations could remain in backups or be intentionally saved by users in some situations. So while extremely difficult, complete forensic deletion of Snapchat conversations cannot be guaranteed in all cases.