Snapchat · Privacy Policy

Snap (Snapchat) Privacy Policy – Plain-Language Summary

What this covers: This policy applies to Snapchat, Bitmoji, Spectacles, and Snap's advertising and commerce products. It took effect April 7, 2025.

What Snap collects and why: Snap collects a wide range of data — from your name, phone number, and birthday when you sign up, to everything you do inside the app (which Lenses you use, what you watch on Spotlight, who you chat with, how often). It also collects your device details, approximate location via IP address, and — if you grant permission — precise GPS location, contacts, camera, photos, and microphone access. Snap uses all of this to personalize your feed and ads, improve its AI features (including My AI), develop new products, and enforce its rules. One important note: Snap says it does not use the private Snaps and Chats you send to friends for ad targeting or personalization — only content like saved Memories and public posts.

Sharing and advertising: Your data is shared with service providers, advertising partners, business integrations (like OpenTable inside Snapchat), anti-fraud partners, and Snap's own subsidiaries. Advertisers can send Snap data about your activity on their websites or apps, and Snap uses that to target ads at you inside Snapchat. If Snap is sold or merged, your data could transfer to the new owner. Data may be stored and processed in the United States or other countries.

Deletion and retention: Snapchat's signature feature is that Snaps and Chats are deleted from Snap's servers within 24 hours after all recipients open them (or after they expire) — unless you or the recipient saves them. Other data, like your account details and friend list, is kept as long as your account is active. Location data retention varies based on how precise it is and which feature generated it. Snap can pause deletion if there's a legal hold, an abuse report, or a policy violation flag on your account.