How to avoid potential privacy issues that come with using Snapchat
So, we all know that hundreds of companies are using Snapchat to vlog their latest behind the scene moments and newest fashion line, however there are some privacy issues that come with Snapchat that might make you think twice about signing up. Not only Snapchat would face consequences of everyone being worried about these issues and deleting their accounts, but so would all the companies that use Snapchat as a main marketing source.
French (2015) says that the app has full rights in republishing your photos and actually saving them to Snapchat servers. Users are also at high risk of their videos and photos being saved by other users without them knowing (Burnham, 2014), the thought that your pictures and videos could be out there without you knowing is enough to put you off the app for life. It’s also being said that Snapchat are transmitting your location and collected contact information from your address book (Burnham, 2014). It’s not looking too great for Snapchat at the moment, but you don’t necessarily have to stop using the fun platform, I have gathered some simple tips to avoid these issues.
(Source via: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snapchats-new-scary-privacy-policy-has-left-users-outraged-2015-10-29)
Keeping your snaps and stories friend only is an easy way to ensure your photos and videos aren’t getting in to the wrong hands (Naked Security, 2016). This is easy and some would say obvious, but if people you want to be seeing your snapchats are people you don’t mind saving them, then this lowers your chance of people you don’t know getting hold of them. It’s a default option on snapchat that only your friends will see your snaps, and it is highly recommended you keep it that way. Another way to ensure you are avoiding privacy problems is only snapchatting things you don’t mind being public, there are many people and third party apps that can simply take photos of your snaps without you knowing by pointing another camera at them (Naked Security, 2016). Doing this will make sure nothing you don’t want people to see will be seen.
(Source via: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/08/31/3-tips-for-better-security-and-privacy-on-snapchat/)
Another easy and obvious way to avoid your snapchats being seen by people you don’t want to see them is by keeping your passwords unique and secure (Kenny, 2016). It is so important you don’t give out your password to anybody, even your friend who you trust with all your secrets. This ensures no one is going to be getting on any of your social media, changing your password regularly is a good way to make sure of this, even if you have forgotten you mentioned a password in a passing conversation (Kenny, 2016).
There’s a way you can share Snapchat stories with the whole world through the “Snapchat Live” function, you just have to make sure your comfortable with the whole world seeing what you’re putting on here before you do so (Kenny, 2016). It’s also important you check what applications you have that act as third party apps to Snapchat, you should not trust these apps and it’s best just not to use them at all (Njeri, 2016). These applications can see everything you are doing on the app and have access to all pictures and videos you are sending and saving, so you can even be putting your friends and family at risk.
Furthermore, if you are worried about Snapchat having your location, it is super easy to turn this off in the settings on your phone and this won’t let Snapchat see your location at all. There are filters that many people use via their location being turned on, and it is fun to use them but it isn’t necessarily worth the risk.
Therefore, to make sure you’re not in danger follow these simple tips and everyone can live happily on the application and you don’t have to delete the app all together. This makes it easier for companies to get their stuff out there to as many people as possible, and we don’t want to ruin their fun, do we?
References:
- Burnham (2014). 5 Ways Snapchat Violated Your Privacy, Security – InformationWeek. [online] InformationWeek. Available at: http://www.informationweek.com/software/social/5-ways-snapchat-violated-your-privacy-security/d/d-id/1251175 [Accessed 6 May 2017].
- French (2015). Snapchat’s new ‘scary’ privacy policy has left users outraged. [online] Market Watch. Available at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/snapchats-new-scary-privacy-policy-has-left-users-outraged-2015-10-29 [Accessed 6 May 2017].
- Kenny (2016). Kaspersky Lab official blog. [online] Blog.kaspersky.com. Available at: https://blog.kaspersky.com/snapchat-privacy-security/11151/ [Accessed 6 May 2017].
- Njeri, K. (2016). Complete Snapchat Privacy and Security Guide to Stay Safe on it | Cyberogism. [online] Cyberogism. Available at: https://cyberogism.com/2017/01/snapchat-privacy-security-guide/ [Accessed 6 May 2017].
- Varmazis, M. (2016). 3 tips for better security and privacy on Snapchat. [online] Naked Security. Available at: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/08/31/3-tips-for-better-security-and-privacy-on-snapchat/ [Accessed 6 May 2017].