Katie Coen

Mobile apps have become an important part of technology and are used by billions of people everyday. They can focus on business transactions, entertainment, education, or communication, but networking-oriented apps are arguably the most popular among their targeted audience. Snapchat is a popular application that allows users to send images, videos, and chats back and forth. They can also post stories for the public or friends to see. One thing many users might not realize is the amount of personal information Snapchat collects. 

Any Snapchat user can find their privacy policy, which outlines all the information the app collects. It is required for users to agree to this policy before they continue with the app, but I guarantee the majority of users do not read the document in its entirety. In fact, the privacy policy was just updated on February 26, 2024. As someone who uses the app daily, I had no idea, so I took a deep dive into the privacy policy to find out what I was missing. 

When a user first makes their account, Snapchat collects personal information, such as their name, email, phone number, and birthday. It also keeps information about the device being used, like the type of software, browser type, and headphone connections. In addition, it stores data relating to what someone uses on the app. The policy explains they analyze how one interacts with their services and the content they make with those services. For example, Snapchat explains that they track one’s engagement with the camera and creative tools, like filters and AI options. Snapchat also says they receive data from third parties if an account is linked to another service. They track data from advertisers and contact information.

The big question is why does Snapchat collect this information? Their privacy policy says they use it to maintain their services and keep them up to date. They also say they give users a personalized experience. This can include recommending friends and highlighting pictures taken in the past.

“Our goal is to continuously provide you with more relevant and interesting content”

Snapchat Privacy Policy

A large part of this data goes towards sharing relevant advertisements. Based on what a user is interacting with, Snapchat uses the data to show ads they think will resonate with them. In addition, they use similar data to work on their algorithms to create new features. 

Snapchat gives us clues as to what they do with this information in their privacy policy as well. They say although most information can be kept private and the user is allowed to decide what they want to share, some data is given to the public. Third party apps also can be connected with an account to share data. Snapchat also admits they give personal data to service providers to optimize the performance of ads, although they say they do not share the contents of private conversations. If a request is put in by legal officials or the government, Snapchat will hand it over. 

Snapchat assures they do not sell personal information to third parties, but the app may share information with service providers who help run the app. This means that data could potentially be accessed by other companies for marketing or analytics purposes.

When it comes to how long Snapchat keeps a user’s information, they say it is up to the individual. Users can determine how long their chats stay visible and can pick if they want to stay friends with another account, but they cannot promise any information is being deleted in a timely fashion. Once an account gets deleted, it seems the data it helps will no longer be shared with the public, but may be kept for Snapchat’s personal use.

Many consumers have an issue with all of this data collection and sharing. They say it is an invasion of their privacy, but they do agree to the contract before continuing to use the platform. That’s why it is important for users to be aware of the risks that come with using Snapchat and all other mobile apps. By understanding the information that is collected and the reasons why, a user can make more informed decisions about their app usage.