Snapchat Privacy Policy and What it Means

Assignment: Pick one of the apps / websites that you chose at the beginning of class, and go find and read through that site’s privacy policy --> https://www.snap.com/en-US/privacy/privacy-policy/

Snapchat's Privacy Policy

What kinds of data are being collected? How many different kinds of data?

Their privacy policy webpage says that snapchat collects data from the information we chose to give them, the information they get when we use their services, and the information they get from third parties. This means username, password, and personal account data as well as all of the snaps and chats sent. This also includes the usage, content, and device information and location information. This also includes information from clicking ads from advertisers or third party apps like bitmoji (and more apps they do not state).

What service or feature is enabled by the data they are collecting? Why are they collecting it in the first place?

They use the data to analyze data and trends from daily usage. They also use this to personalize friend suggestions and verify your identity. They also say they “use information we’ve collected from cookies and other technology to enhance our services and your experience with them”, which basically means that they can use it for anything to improve user experience and gives them a gray area to do what they want with the data.

Who else is given access to that data? How are they using it?

They share with users information about our login and friends. They can also share information with service providers and business partners (unnamed). They can also show personal information with due legal cause.

Can you get access to your own data? Can you modify what is collected or used, or delete your data if you wish?

You can download your data, revoke permissions on device settings, deleting your account, or change advertising preferences.

On a scale of 1-4, rate how comfortable you are with this company’s data policy? 1 - very uncomfortable 4-very comfortable

I am a 2 on this scale. This privacy policy leaves a lot of gray area where it is unclear what snapchat is doing with our data. However, because I am not of national importance currently, snapchat's privacy policy might not personally affect me. It is unsettling to realize how much data they are collecting and how they could be selling your location to advertisers.