Snapchat has revealed a host of new safety features aimed at securing a safe and positive in-app experience for its users.
With a primarily young and teenage follower base, the social media platform is taking helpful steps to protect their community from online harm, make it difficult for strangers to contact users, and encourage focus on organic relationships.
Key new features include:
- Blocking Improvements: Blocking a user will also block new friend requests from other accounts created on the same device, reducing the risk of continued unwanted contact with blocked individuals.
- Additional reminders and simplified location-sharing: Snapchatters, including teenagers, will receive regular reminders to check their security and privacy settings. This new update will also simplify the process for users to customize which friends can see their location on the Snap Map.
- Expanded in-app warnings: Snapchat’s in-app warning system will soon include advanced signals. Teenagers will receive warnings if they get messages from users who have been blocked or reported by others, or from users who belong to regions outside their typical locations, which will help them identity and filter out potential scammers.
- Enhanced protections: Friend requests from users without mutual connections, or from users with a history of accessing Snapchat in locations linked to scamming, will be blocked.
Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy-South Asia, Snap Inc. said, “Snapchat has always been a unique space where you can truly be yourself and connect with your real friends. Young people across India love spending time on our platform, and we are dedicated to making it a safe and positive place for everyone, especially teens. Our newest safety features are all about supporting genuine friendships, empowering teens to make smart choices, and ensuring that every Snapchatter feels secure and confident while using our app.”
While there is no foolproof way to protect everyone, Snapchat’s latest updates reveal their ongoing concern about their user base and desire to protect and promote their best interests.
