Snapchat is a popular social media app that allows users to send photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. A core feature of Snapchat is that senders are notified when a recipient takes a screenshot of their snap. While this can be fun among friends, it can be worrying if an unwanted person screenshots your snap without your consent. So what can you do if someone screenshots your Snapchat without permission? Here are some steps you can take and information on your options.
Why might someone screenshot your Snapchat without consent?
There are a few potential reasons someone may screenshot your Snapchat without your permission:
- To save or share a funny or embarrassing photo/video you sent
- To blackmail, harass, or stalk you by saving photos/videos you didn’t intend for them to permanently have
- By accident – they may have tried to exit or close the snap and accidentally pressed the screenshot button
Of course, their reasoning may not always be negative or malicious. Some people simply forget that screenshots notify the sender or feel that if you sent them the snap, they have a right to save it. However, it is generally good practice to ask for consent before screenshotting someone’s snap, especially if you are not close friends.
Ask them politely not to save your snaps without permission
If you notice someone has screenshotted your snap, the first step is to politely ask them to refrain from saving your snaps without your consent going forward. Send them a message saying something like:
“I noticed you took a screenshot of my snap. Could you please ask me before screenshotting or saving my snaps in the future?”
Give them the benefit of the doubt that they may have hit screenshot by accident. Or explain that you prefer to keep your snaps temporary unless you’ve granted permission. Hopefully, they will apologize and agree to ask you first next time.
Adjust your Snapchat settings
If speaking to them directly doesn’t work, go into your Snapchat settings and make some adjustments:
- Turn off automatic downloading of snaps they send – This prevents them from sending snaps that automatically save to your device’s storage
- Block them – This will prevent them from viewing or messaging you entirely
- Report them to Snapchat – You can report their account for harassment
Restricting their access and permissions can help prevent further unwanted screenshots. And reporting harassment can get their account banned from Snapchat entirely.
Be more selective about who you add on Snapchat
In the future, be extra selective about who you accept as friends and share your Snapchat handle with. Some best practices include:
- Only add close friends and family you know well and trust
- Avoid adding strangers, new acquaintances, or people you met online but haven’t met in person
- Ask existing friends not to share your Snapchat name or handle without your permission
Having a selective friends list can help minimize risks of people screenshotting your content without consent. If you only add those very close to you, chances are they will respect your privacy and preferences.
Avoid sending risky or embarrassing snaps
One of the best ways to prevent unwanted screenshots is being mindful of what you send on Snapchat in the first place. Here are some tips:
- Avoid sending sexually explicit images or videos
- Don’t send overly flirtatious or risque chats/snaps
- Refrain from sending snaps when you’ve been drinking or aren’t in a clear state of mind
- Keep in mind anything inflammatory, illegal, or unprofessional if screenshots got out
The more provocative, embarrassing, or risky the content, the more incentive someone may have to screenshot it without your consent. So staying away from that type of content is wise.
Change your settings to see who views your stories
In your settings, you can also choose to see a list of who has viewed each story you post. This allows you to see if someone you want to avoid has watched your story, so you can further restrict their access or report them if needed.
Speak to a parent or authority figure if it’s ongoing harassment
If the unwanted screenshots are part of repeated or aggressive harassment, speak to a parent, school counselor, human resources, or the police. Depending on the severity and details, it may be appropriate to file for a restraining order, HR complaint or even press charges. Ongoing harassment, cyberstalking and blackmail are serious matters, so seek help from authorities.
Consult a lawyer if they share the screenshots
Photos or videos taken without your consent and then shared with others or posted online is legally recognized as revenge porn in many areas. If sexually explicit media of you gets distributed without consent, consult a lawyer about your options. They may recommend legal action such as pressing charges, filing a lawsuit or getting the images removed from websites under copyright law.
Avoid escalating the situation
As upsetting as unwanted screenshots may be, try to avoid doing anything rash in response, such as:
- Snapping or saying something aggressive or abusive
- Threatening to share screenshots of their snaps in retaliation
- Deleting or blocking them without any warning or message
While it’s natural to feel angry, escalating the situation is unlikely to resolve it. Stay calm, take a screenshot for evidence, then take the appropriate actions outlined above.
Accept you can’t control screenshots entirely
At the end of the day, it is impossible to control whether someone screenshots your snaps or not. Even if you take all the precautions, someone could still grab their phone and take a screenshot without your knowledge. So don’t send anything on Snapchat (or anywhere online) that you wouldn’t be comfortable getting out. While taking sensible precautions is wise, accept that unintentional leaks are always a possibility.
Conclusion
Unwanted Snapchat screenshots can be a breach of trust and privacy. But there are various steps you can take if it happens to you:
- Ask them politely not to do it again
- Restrict their access via your Snapchat settings
- Be selective about who you add and what you share
- Get authorities involved if it becomes ongoing harassment
While embarrassing or frustrating in the moment, stay level-headed, take action, and be mindful going forward. With some caution and common sense, you can maintain your Snapchat privacy.