This article was published on May 8, 2014

Snapchat settles with the FTC over database leak and misrepresentations of disappearing messages


Snapchat settles with the FTC over database leak and misrepresentations of disappearing messages

Ephemeral messaging service Snapchat has reached a “consent decree” agreement with the FTC after addressing concerns that the commission had regarding an embarrassing database leak last year and misrepresentations about how it stored user messages.

Snapchat said it resolved most of the FTC’s complaints ahead of time by changing its privacy policy, app description and in-app notifications. At issue was a complaint that Snapchat promised that user photos and videos would “disappear forever” when they were still available to other users.

According to re/code, Snapchat’s agreement with the FTC requires that it create a privacy program, subject itself to independent monitoring for 20 years, and stop misrepresenting how it handles user data.

 Snapchat Settles FTC Charges That Promises of Disappearing Messages Were False [FTC]

Image credit: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images

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