Recently, video messaging application Snapchat updated its terms of service and privacy policy, which states that it now has the right to use the data sent through the application. But just a day later after publicizing the new policies, the company published a statement clarifying its intentions about the data from its users.
In a blog post published today, Snapchat reiterates that the Snaps and chats sent through the app remain private, as they were before. They reportedly delete messages and Snaps sent once it has already been detected that they have been viewed, and are expired. "But the important point is that Snapchat is not—and never has been—stockpiling your private Snaps or Chats," the blog post reads. "And because we continue to delete them from our servers as soon as they’re read, we could not—and do not—share them with advertisers or business partners."
While Snapchat affirms that the new terms of service gives them "a broad license" to the content created by its users, that license according to the company is only used for Snaps submitted to its "Live Stories" feature, which lets users view and create public collections of photos taken at a live event. And with its privacy policy and users' own privacy settings, that license's scope could be restricted, keeping personal communications between users private.
Furthermore, Snapchat explains that they revised its terms and privacy policy in order to make them easier to read, explain in-app purchases, with the addition of the feature to see snaps a second time, and explain better what information about its users will be visible to others.
Back in 2014, the company got itself in hot water for allegedly tricking users into thinking that data sent would really disappear forever. With this recent backpedaling by the controversial messaging app, its fate in light of privacy issues remains to be seen. For now, we recommend users to be careful of what they send out there, especially ones they will regret in the end.
Source: Snapchat
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