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What is the new Snapchat policy?

What is the new Snapchat policy?

Snapchat recently announced some major changes to their privacy policy and terms of service that have many users concerned. The updated policy goes into effect on October 13th, 2023 and includes expanded data collection and sharing practices. In this article, we’ll break down the key changes and what they mean for Snapchat users.

What user data is Snapchat collecting?

The new Snapchat policy outlines the various types of user data they may collect, including:

  • Location data
  • User content (snaps, stories, chat logs, etc.)
  • Contacts and friends lists
  • Device identifiers like IP address and mobile device IDs
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies to monitor activity

This user data helps Snapchat customize and improve their services. However, the updated policy grants Snapchat broad rights to collect and aggregate this data for targeted advertising purposes.

How is Snapchat using this user data?

Here are some of the key ways Snapchat may use their collected user data according to the new policy:

  • Delivering, optimizing and personalizing services
  • Sending promotional messages and ads
  • Providing analytics to business partners
  • Developing new products and services
  • Conducting research and analysis

A major concern is around targeted advertising. Snapchat’s data will help them serve users with highly-personalized and relevant ads. While this can improve the user experience, many people are uncomfortable with how much of their personal data may be leveraged for ads.

Who can Snapchat share user data with?

Snapchat’s updated policy allows them to share user data with:

  • Affiliated companies like Snap Group LLC
  • Third-party business partners
  • Advertising platforms and networks
  • Research partners and academics
  • Law enforcement or in compliance with legal requirements

Snapchat states they may share user identifiers, device IDs, location information, user content and other data with these parties for business purposes. Many users are uneasy about their personal information being provided to external services without their knowledge or control.

Can users opt-out of data collection?

The updated Snapchat policy makes their data collection practices largely non-optional. They state users can limited certain data practices by adjusting their settings, for example:

  • Turning off location services
  • Restricting access to phone contacts
  • Opting out of personalized ads

However, Snapchat notes that even with settings adjusted they may still collect, use and share data as outlined in the policy. There is no way for users to fully opt-out if they want to keep using Snapchat.

What happens if users delete their Snapchat account?

Snapchat states that if a user deletes their account, Snapchat will deactivate the account and delete their Snaps and Chats. However, they may retain user data for internal purposes, including:

  • Compliance with legal obligations
  • Detecting and preventing fraud or illegal activity
  • Analytics to improve their services

So Snapchat may hold onto certain user data even after account deletion. They may also retain aggregated and de-identified analytics data derived from a user’s information indefinitely after account deletion.

Conclusion

Snapchat’s new privacy policy gives them wide latitude to collect and leverage user data for commercial purposes like advertising and partnerships. Key changes include:

  • Expanded rights to gather user content, device identifiers, location data and more
  • Broad rights to share data with affiliates, partners and research groups
  • Limited opt-out options for data collection practices
  • Retention of some user data after account deletion

Many users are concerned by the required data collection and sharing detailed in Snapchat’s updated terms. While Snapchat states this will help them improve and personalize services, it represents a major shift towards leveraging user data versus protecting privacy.

Users uncomfortable with the changes should review their settings and consider deleting their Snapchat account if they feel the privacy trade-offs are no longer worth it. While the policy changes significantly expand Snapchat’s data rights, users ultimately need to decide if Snapchat still offers enough value to share their personal information.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new policy go into effect?

Snapchat’s new privacy policy and terms of service go into effect on October 13th, 2023. All users will need to agree to the updated terms by this date to continue using Snapchat.

Can I delete my Snapchat account?

Yes, you can delete your Snapchat account if you are uncomfortable with the new data practices. Simply go into your account settings and select “Delete my account.” Snapchat does note they may retain some data for analytics and legal purposes after account deletion.

Will Snapchat sell my data?

The new policy does not indicate that Snapchat will directly sell personal user data. However, they may provide data to partners and allow partners or advertisers to serve targeted ads based on Snapchat user data and activity.

Can I opt-out of data sharing?

There is no way to fully opt-out of Snapchat’s data practices if you want to keep using their services. You can restrict certain collection like location and contacts, but Snapchat still reserves the right to collect and share user data per the new policy terms.

What data does Snapchat collect?

Snapchat may collect user content like Snaps and Chats, location information, contacts/friends lists, identifiers like device IDs and cookies, and other data outlined in their policy. This data may be used for analytics, ads, services optimization and more.

Snapchat User Data Collection and Sharing

Data Type Collection Method Use Cases Sharing
User content Snaps, stories, chat logs, etc. Service personalization, ads targeting Affiliates, advertisers, business partners
Location data Device location tracking Geo-targeting services and ads Affiliates, advertisers, legal requests
Device identifiers IP address, mobile IDs, cookies Service provision, security, analytics Affiliates, advertisers, partners
Contacts Upload phone contacts Friend suggestions, social graph Affiliates
Other data In-app activity, usage data Analytics, fraud prevention Affiliates, partners

This table summarizes some of the key data Snapchat may collect per their policy, how it is gathered, how it may be used, and who it can be shared with. Users should understand Snapchat has broad rights to leverage this data for commercial purposes.

The Pros and Cons of Snapchat’s New Policy

Potential Pros

  • Improved ad targeting and personalization of services
  • Development of new features based on usage patterns
  • Increased security from fraud detection capabilities
  • More insights for research partners and academics

Snapchat argues expanded data practices will let them better optimize and tailor their services. Advertisers also benefit from more targeted social media marketing.

Potential Cons

  • Major loss of personal privacy and control over data
  • Overreliance on excessive user data collection
  • User discomfort over data sharing with external parties
  • Potential discrimination from targeted advertising

However, privacy advocates worry the policy change is an overreach. Users lose significant control while Snapchat gains commercial benefit from vast amounts of user data.

Alternatives to Snapchat

If Snapchat’s new privacy policy seems too invasive, here are a few alternative apps to consider:

Instagram

Like Snapchat, Instagram features disappearing stories and allows sharing photos and videos. Instagram Stories also lets you customize posts with stickers, text and drawings. It has less granular data collection than Snapchat’s new policy.

WhatsApp

This secure messaging app offers end-to-end encryption for your chats. You can share photos, videos, documents and make voice and video calls. WhatsApp collects very little user data compared to Snapchat.

Signal

Signal puts privacy first with encrypted messaging and calling. It collects virtually no user data and content is encrypted in transit and at rest. Signal is light on features but heavy on privacy.

Telegram

Telegram offers robust encryption and supports group chats up to 200,000 members. It has customizable apps and services using Telegram’s open API and bot platform. Telegram aims for enhanced privacy compared to Snapchat.

The Bottom Line

Snapchat’s updated privacy policy grants them broad rights to gather, analyze, use and share user data for commercial purposes. While they claim this will improve services, many users are concerned about the loss of privacy.

Users uncomfortable with the policy have alternatives like Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram. But these lack Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging which some enjoy. There are trade-offs between feature-rich apps like Snapchat and privacy-first apps like Signal.

Overall, Snapchat users need to weigh the benefits against privacy risks under the new data policy. While Snapchat will likely leverage user data to advance its ad platform and offerings, many question if unfettered data collection is justified.