Snapchat’s subscriptions feature allows users to subscribe to their friends’ public stories for a monthly fee. This gives subscribers access to exclusive content from creators they follow. However, sometimes even private stories unintentionally show up under subscriptions. There are a few potential reasons for this.
Stories may be public accidentally
The most common reason private stories end up in subscriptions is because they have accidentally been made public. Snapchat has a feature where users can share stories with their friends, their friends of friends, or a custom group. However, there is also a public option to share stories with anyone on Snapchat. It’s easy to toggle this on accidentally.
For example, if someone made their story public for a special event or occasion but forgot to turn the setting back to private afterwards, all their newer stories would remain public. They may not realize this until a friend brings it up or they notice new viewers on their story.
Friends re-share stories publicly
Another way private stories can end up in public subscriptions is if someone’s friend downloads their story and re-shares it publicly. Friends who view your story are able to save it to their device’s camera roll. From there, they can upload it as their own story and choose to share it publicly.
So even if your story settings are private, someone else could take your content and share it with their own subscribers. This doesn’t happen too often, but it is a risk to be aware of when sharing personal stories even if just with your close friends list.
Glitch in Snapchat
In some rare cases, there seems to be a glitch in Snapchat’s system where private stories get grouped into public profiles and accounts incorrectly. Even if your sharing settings are definitely set to private, your stories may display under subscriptions you did not intend to join.
There have been a few reported instances of this happening over the years. While Snapchat typically resolves it quickly, it can take some time for them to fix the problem on their end and remove your private stories from the public eye.
Hacked or compromised accounts
Finally, sometimes subscriptions display private stories because a user’s account has been hacked or compromised in some way. If someone gains access to your Snapchat account, they could easily change your story settings to public and share private content with your subscribers.
Warning signs of this include strange story views from accounts you don’t know or changes made to your profile that you didn’t make. If you suspect foul play, change your password immediately and report it to Snapchat.
How to keep your stories private
To ensure your Snapchat stories remain private, here are a few tips:
- Double check that your story settings are set to “My Friends” and not public before sharing sensitive content
- Be careful about who you add as friends – remember they can screenshot or download your stories
- Avoid adding usernames you don’t know to avoid getting hacked
- Use Snapchat’s privacy settings to block unwanted followers
- Report any instances of your private content being shared publicly
What to do if your private story gets shared publicly
If you find out your private Snapchat story has ended up being shared with public subscribers, here are some steps to take:
- Change your username and password immediately to protect your account
- Delete the publicly shared stories if possible
- Ask your friends not to view or share the content further
- Contact Snapchat to report the issue and have your stories removed
- Block any subscribers who shouldn’t have access
- Review your story settings and friend list for anything suspicious
- Consider taking a break from posting while you secure your account
Private stories vs. public stories
It’s important to understand the difference between private stories and public stories on Snapchat:
| Private Stories | Public Stories |
|---|---|
| Only visible to friends you select | Visible to all Snapchat users |
| Personal content for people you know and trust | Public content for entertainment, creative expression, etc. |
| More intimate, candid content | More polished, professional content |
Keeping stories private versus public depends on your intentions with posting. Private stories are designed for sharing personal moments and daily life with close friends and family. Public stories are for broadcasting content more widely with anyone who subscribes.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, while accidents happen, you have control over who sees your Snapchat stories based on your privacy settings and sharing choices. Just be vigilant about toggling your story visibility, reviewing your friend list, and being selective about the content you post. With a few precautionary measures, you can maintain the privacy of your stories.
If your private stories do end up being shared publicly without your permission, act quickly to have them removed and secure your account. In most cases, Snapchat will remedy these issues to restore your privacy. Being proactive about your security and settings is the best way to keep your Snapchat stories for your eyes only.