Yes, it is possible to change someone else’s display name on Snapchat, but you can only do it if you are the account administrator for a Snapchat account used by a business, brand, organization, etc. Users cannot change the display names for other personal Snapchat accounts.
Can you change your own display name?
Yes, any Snapchat user can change their own personal display name within the app. Here’s how:
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner
- Tap the gear icon to access your Settings
- Tap the pencil icon next to your display name
- Type in your new desired display name and tap “Save” when finished
Your display name can be changed as often as you want. Snapchat does reserve the right to remove any display names it deems offensive or inappropriate.
Can someone else change your personal Snapchat display name?
No, regular Snapchat users cannot change the display name on someone else’s personal Snapchat account. The only person who can modify your individual display name is you, by changing it in your own account’s Settings.
Who can change a Snapchat account’s display name?
The only people who can change the display name on a Snapchat account are:
- The individual user for their own personal Snapchat account
- An approved manager for a business, brand, or organization’s Snapchat account
So for regular personal accounts, users have full control over their own display names. But for Snapchat accounts run by brands, businesses, organizations, etc, approved account managers have the ability to modify the account’s display name.
How do you manage a business Snapchat account?
Snapchat allows businesses, brands, organizations, etc. to create special Snapchat accounts connected to their entity’s name. These accounts come with account manager roles that let certain users change settings like the display name for that account.
To create a business Snapchat account and assign account managers, you need to:
- Apply for a business account through Snapchat’s Business Center and go through the verification process
- Once approved, appoint 1-3 account admins who can manage settings
- The account admins will have access to change the display name, add other managers, create ads, and view analytics
Multiple managers can be given access to these business accounts. But for personal Snapchat accounts, only the individual user has profile and settings privileges.
What can Snapchat account managers edit?
The approved managers of Snapchat accounts belonging to brands, businesses, or organizations have permissions to edit certain account details, including:
- The account’s display name
- Bitmoji for the account’s profile
- Linked website for the account’s profile
- Story settings
- Ad preferences
- Analytics overview
So account managers have control over the display name, icon, website link, advertising, and insights for their connected business account. They act as administrators.
Do account managers have posting privileges?
In addition to settings controls, the designated managers of a brand’s Snapchat account also have the ability to:
- Create and post Stories
- Send Snaps to followers
- Chat with followers
- Add multimedia to the account’s Story or highlights
- Engage with the audience and respond to messages/comments
So the managers have full posting privileges. They can send Snaps, share Stories, chat, and otherwise actively use the business account just like a personal account, while also changing settings.
Can you tell if your Snapchat display name was changed?
If you notice that your personal Snapchat display name has been changed without you doing it, it’s likely your account has been compromised. Unlike business accounts, regular Snapchat users cannot have their display name modified by someone else.
Here are some signs that someone may have accessed your account to change your display name:
- Your display name suddenly changes and you didn’t alter it
- You are logged out of your account unexpectedly
- You notice posts, Stories, or messages you didn’t create
- Your password no longer works
- Your number of Snapchat friends changes
If you see any suspicious activity like this, change your password immediately and report the issue to Snapchat.
How was my Snapchat display name changed without me knowing?
There are a few ways someone could potentially gain access to your Snapchat account and modify settings like your display name without your knowledge:
- You use an easy-to-guess password – Weak passwords make it simple for someone else to log into your account.
- You saved your login on a shared device – Public or shared computers may retain your credentials.
- A hacker infiltrated Snapchat’s systems – Large hacks do occasionally happen with tech companies.
- You fell for a phishing scam – Fake emails or links duped you into revealing your username and password.
To maximize security, always use a strong, unique password and be wary of suspicious links asking you to log in. Enable two-factor authentication as well.
Can Snapchat help if your display name was changed?
If you believe someone accessed your Snapchat account without authorization and changed your display name or other account details, here’s how Snapchat can help:
- Report the problem immediately to Snapchat using their support contact form.
- Provide any details about the unauthorized changes or activity.
- Snapchat can investigate and potentially revert any unwanted modifications.
- They can also help you reset your password and improve security.
- Make sure to change your Snapchat password and any similar passwords for other sites, just in case.
Snapchat has procedures in place to handle compromised accounts and can restore your original display name if needed. Be proactive in contacting them for help.
Can you get someone banned from Snapchat for changing your display name?
If someone gains access to your account and changes settings without consent, you can request the account be banned:
- Contact Snapchat and report the unauthorized access immediately
- Provide details about the display name change or any other modification
- Snapchat will investigate the account activity and may disable the account for Terms of Service violations
- If the activity is severe enough, Snapchat may choose to ban the account from the platform
- They aim to disable any accounts that compromise others’ security
Snapchat forbids accessing someone else’s account without permission. Any user caught trespassing and altering information may end up banned, at Snapchat’s discretion after a review.
Is changing someone’s Snapchat display name illegal?
Here are some potential legal issues if you change someone else’s Snapchat display name without authorization:
- It may qualify as identity theft or fraud if impersonating someone else
- It can violate computer crime laws against unauthorized account access
- Applicable privacy laws may consider it disclosure of private information
- Law enforcement may get involved depending on the circumstances
There are a mix of criminal and civil laws that can punish those who unlawfully access someone’s account or alter their identity. Changing someone’s display name without consent is best avoided.
Can you sue someone for changing your Snapchat display name?
There may be grounds to take legal action if a personal Snapchat display name was modified without consent:
- A civil lawsuit could accuse the perpetrator of privacy violations, defamation, or causing emotional distress.
- The victim may be entitled to monetary damages if they suffered specific financial harm.
- A lawsuit can also demand the perpetrator stop the unauthorized activity.
- An attorney should evaluate the specific circumstances of the incident.
It’s recommended to immediately collect evidence and consult an attorney if considering a lawsuit for an inappropriate Snapchat display name change.
Tips to prevent your Snapchat display name from being changed
Here are some tips to help prevent unauthorized changes to your Snapchat display name:
- Always use a strong, unique password for your Snapchat account.
- Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
- Be wary of phishing schemes trying to steal your login info.
- Don’t access your account on public Wi-Fi networks.
- Log out of shared devices when you are done using Snapchat.
- Monitor your account activity for unauthorized changes.
Keeping your login information private is essential. Enable all of Snapchat’s security features and be on the lookout for any suspicious behavior.
Conclusion
Snapchat allows users to modify their own personal account’s display name, but no one else can change your display name without gaining unauthorized access. Business accounts on Snapchat, however, do permit approved managers to change the display name and other details. Illegally accessing someone’s Snapchat account and making changes without permission can lead to account bans plus civil or criminal penalties in some cases. Victims should immediately report unauthorized activity to Snapchat and law enforcement and be proactive about bolstering security going forward.
Summary Table
User Type | Can Change Own Display Name? | Can Change Someone Else’s Display Name? |
---|---|---|
Personal Account Holder | Yes | No |
Business Account Manager | Yes (for their managed brand accounts) | Yes (for their managed brand accounts) |
This summarizes the abilities to modify Snapchat display names based on the type of user and account.
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Changing your display name on Snapchat is easy to do for your own account, but no one else can modify your display name without gaining access. Unauthorized display name changes may result in account bans plus potential legal action. Be proactive about Snapchat security to prevent unwanted alterations.