You might want to read Snapchat’s updated privacy policy before downloading

Snapchat recently updated its terms of service, and if you’re a frequent user of the platform, you probably want to take notice.

Snapchat users are being asked to accept the updated terms after downloading the new version of the app, but the details of the new privacy policy arent immediately visible.

By signing up to the app, each user gives Snapchat a license to “publicly display that content in any form and in any and all media or distribution methods (now known or later developed)”.

It also adds that it might “share information with entities within the Snapchat family of companies”. Even so, the rapid change of mind for Snapchat, which first billed itself as an ephemeral messaging service where all content is deleted after a day of being sent, has gotten it caught in the ire of a few privacy-minded users.

Just because Snapchat has the right to do that doesn’t mean it will, however.

Instagram has a similar clause in its terms of service as does Facebook, providing your content is published under the “public” setting.

We will use this license for the limited objective of operating, developing, providing, promoting, and improving the Services; researching and developing new ones; and making content submitted through the Services available to our business partners for syndication, broadcast, distribution, or publication outside the Services.

But the fact remains that Snapchat is not secure enough to protect your messages from the eyes of its staff, nor whoever its staff care to share those messages with. Also see: Best Android apps 2015/2016.

All claims and disputes arising out of, relating to, or in connection with the Terms or the use the Services that cannot be resolved informally or in small claims court will be resolved by binding arbitration on an individual basis, except that you and Snapchat are not required to arbitrate any dispute in which either party seeks equitable relief for the alleged unlawful use of copyrights, trademarks, trade names, logos, trade secrets, or patents.

But let’s get real. For that reason, Snapchat is popular for “sexting”, meaning that lots of sensitive material is sent using the app. So now use it with the knowledge that whatever you share could end up in the hands of complete strangers. Be careful about what you share – if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to lose.

Source : www.tjcnewspaper.com