Snapchat introduced the My Eyes Only feature in 2017, so it has been around for about 6 years now. The My Eyes Only section allows Snapchat users to save their snaps securely in a passcode-protected area.
When did Snapchat introduce My Eyes Only?
Snapchat launched the My Eyes Only feature in January 2017. It was added as part of an update that also introduced new creative tools like the Paintbrush and Magic Eraser.
So as of October 2023, My Eyes Only has been a part of Snapchat for just over 6 years.
Why did Snapchat add My Eyes Only?
Snapchat added My Eyes Only to give users more control over their privacy. While regular Snapchat stories disappear after 24 hours, users still had concerns about sensitive snaps being screenshotted or shared without their permission.
My Eyes Only provided a locked space where users could save their private or intimate snaps securely. The snaps stored here cannot be viewed by anyone else and do not have a time limit – they remain accessible until the user deletes them.
How does My Eyes Only work?
– To access My Eyes Only, users need to enter a unique passcode. This ensures that only the Snapchat account holder can view their private content.
– Snaps moved to My Eyes Only will no longer be visible in the story feed. They will only be viewable from the My Eyes Only section.
– If someone tries to screenshot a snap in My Eyes Only, the sender will be notified as usual. This prevents unauthorized sharing.
– There is no time limit on snaps saved in My Eyes Only. Users can store snaps here indefinitely.
– Users can delete individual snaps from My Eyes Only if they want. But the section itself cannot be deleted.
– My Eyes Only is linked to a user’s Snapchat account. If they delete their account, the My Eyes Only section and its content are also deleted.
What types of content do people save in My Eyes Only?
Since My Eyes Only is private, users often save:
– Intimate or risque photos and videos they wouldn’t want publicly visible.
– Embarrassing or silly snaps.
– Confidential information like passwords or notes.
– Private conversations.
– Snapchat streaks they want to keep private.
– Photos, videos, and chats meant for specific people like a significant other.
Essentially, people store anything they want to keep just between themselves and the intended recipient. The passcode lock allows them to control who views the content.
How is My Eyes Only different from Snapchat Memories?
| My Eyes Only | Snapchat Memories |
|---|---|
| – Passcode protected space | – Public storage, no passcode |
| – Only visible in My Eyes Only section | – Visible in Memories and camera roll |
| – No time limit on snaps | – Snaps expire after 30 days |
| – Notifies sender if screenshotted | – No screenshot notification |
| – Private content storage | – Saves non-sensitive snaps |
As the table shows, My Eyes Only is a private, locked space for sensitive content. Snapchat Memories is for general snaps users want to save temporarily.
How secure is My Eyes Only on Snapchat?
My Eyes Only uses the following security measures:
– Passcode protection – A unique 4-digit passcode is needed to access content.
– Screenshot alerts – Users are notified if someone screenshots their snap in My Eyes Only.
– No cloud storage – Snaps saved here are only stored locally on the user’s device.
– Account deletion – My Eyes Only is deleted if the user deletes their Snapchat account.
So the feature is quite secure overall. However, some potential risks include:
– Unauthorized access if someone guesses the passcode. Users should create a random, hard to guess code.
– Third-party apps that can bypass screenshot detection and save snaps secretly. Avoid using such apps.
– Physical access to an unattended, unlocked device. This allows snooping in My Eyes Only without the passcode.
As long as users take precautions, My Eyes Only does provide a private place to store sensitive snaps end-to-end encrypted. Users ultimately have to trust Snapchat’s privacy protection claims.
Can Snapchat access My Eyes Only content?
Officially, Snapchat claims they cannot view or access any My Eyes Only content. The feature uses end-to-end encryption where the snaps are only stored on the user’s device. The passcode is not known to or stored by Snapchat either.
However, since Snapchat controls the app and encryption, there is no way for external parties to verify these claims fully. Users have to ultimately trust that Snapchat does not have any backdoor access to My Eyes Only content.
There has been no evidence so far though that Snapchat breaches My Eyes Only privacy or encryption. As long as users create a unique passcode, the feature does seem to keep content private from everyone else including Snapchat.
Conclusion
In summary:
– Snapchat launched My Eyes Only in January 2017, so the feature has existed for around 6 years now.
– It allows users to save snaps securely behind a passcode lock.
– My Eyes Only gives users more control over their privacy and protects intimate or private content.
– It uses screenshot alerts and passcode encryption to keep unauthorized people out.
– Users can store confidential or risque content here that they don’t want generally visible.
– Overall My Eyes Only seems to be a private, end-to-end encrypted space. But users ultimately have to trust Snapchat’s privacy protection.
So while not completely foolproof, My Eyes Only does serve its purpose quite well as private storage for your sensitive snaps away from prying eyes!