Editing Snapchat (section)

==Incidents==
===Data breach (''2014'')===
In January 2014, Snapchat experienced a data breach that exposed the usernames and partial phone numbers of 4.6 million users through an API exploit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.epic.org/2014/01/snapchat-data-breach-exposes-4.html|title=Snapchat Data Breach Exposes 4.6 Million Usernames|date=2014-01-02|work=Epic|access-date=2025-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212024420/https://archive.epic.org/2014/01/snapchat-data-breach-exposes-4.html|archive-date=2025-02-12|url-status=live}}</ref> A couple days after the breach, Snapchat updated the app to allow users to opt-out of linking phone numbers to their usernames through the "find friends" function of the app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.databreachtoday.com/snapchat-updates-security-after-breach-a-6368|title=Snapchat Updates Security After Breach|first=Jeffery|last=Roman|date=2014-01-10|work=Data Breach Today|access-date=2025-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224192448/https://www.databreachtoday.com/snapchat-updates-security-after-breach-a-6368|archive-date=2024-02-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Privacy concerns===

====Snapchat Maps (''2017'')====
In June 2017, a new feature called "Maps" was released that showed users where their friends were while using the app.<ref name="GSC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/23/snapchat-maps-privacy-safety-concerns|title=Snapchat's new map feature raises fears of stalking and bullying|first=Olivia|last=Solon|work=TheGuardian|date=2017-06-23|access-date=2025-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214100959/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/23/snapchat-maps-privacy-safety-concerns|archive-date=2025-02-14|url-status=live}}</ref> This feature was from the acquisition of the company Zenly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/21/snapchat-buys-zenly/|title=Snapchat acquires social map app Zenly for $250M to $350M|first=Josh|last=Constine|date=2017-06-21|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227173128/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/21/snapchat-buys-zenly/|archive-date=2024-12-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Many feared the feature would be used in stalking and many child safety groups were wary, with one stating "we would encourage users not to share their location, especially with people they don’t know in person".<ref name="GSC" />

As of February 2025, users can opt out of the maps feature by disabling location services in their device settings or through the app. This can be done temporarily through "ghost mode," where only Snapchat can see your location rather than your added friends. Users can also restrict what accounts can see their location.

====My AI (''2023'')====
In February 2023, Snapchat released its ChatGPT-powered chatbot called "My Ai". The chatbot faced criticism from Snapchat users for the way it interacted with users, with some calling the feature "Creepy" and "Terrifying", with it sometimes being caught lying about its capabilities to the users.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Samantha |date=2023-04-27 |title=Snapchat’s new AI chatbot is already raising alarms among teens and parents |url=https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/04/27/tech/snapchat-my-ai-concerns-wellness|website=CNN.com|access-date=2025-09-06}}</ref> 

Snapchat users also complained about the My AI chatbot being pinned to the top of their chat feed and not being able to remove it unless they subscribed to Snapchat+ for $3.99 per month.<ref name=":0" />