Key Points:
- Improved blocking thwarts repeat attempts by bad actors to contact users.
- Enhanced location sharing with privacy reminders and regional restrictions.
- Warning prompts for suspicious friend requests and blocked users attempting contact.
Social media giant Snapchat is ramping up its safety measures to create a more secure environment for its users, particularly teenagers. On Tuesday, the company announced a comprehensive set of updates designed to make it significantly harder for malicious actors, often referred to as “bad actors”, to establish contact with unsuspecting users.
These new features come amidst growing concerns about the exploitation of minors on social media platforms. Predators have increasingly targeted teens, leading to serious consequences like sextortion.
One of the most significant updates strengthens Snapchat’s existing blocking functionality. Previously blocked users will no longer be able to send friend requests using alternate accounts created on the same device. This effectively shuts down repeat attempts at unwanted contact.
Furthermore, Snapchat is focusing on location sharing with a two-pronged approach. Users will receive more frequent reminders about who they share their location with on the Snap Map. Additionally, a simplified interface will allow for easier customization of location visibility. Snapchat recommends that users only share their live location with trusted individuals like close friends or family members.
Building upon the 2023 launch of in-app pop-up warnings, Snapchat is expanding its reach. These warnings will now appear in two new scenarios. Firstly, a notification will display if a user attempts to chat with someone who has been blocked or reported by others.
Secondly, a warning will be triggered if a user receives a friend request from someone located in a region outside their typical friend network. This feature will be initially rolled out in several countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Another layer of protection involves friend requests. Snapchat has implemented a system that prevents teens from receiving or sending friend requests with individuals they have no mutual connections with, if that person has a history of accessing the app from locations known for scams.
This builds upon an existing feature that restricts friend suggestions in Quick Add or Search for users with whom a teen shares no mutual connections. This new functionality is currently limited to select regions but will be launched soon in India with regional considerations.
“Our newest safety features are all about fostering genuine friendships,” said Uthara Ganesh, Head of Public Policy for South Asia at Snap. “We want to empower teens to make informed choices and ensure that everyone on Snapchat feels secure and confident while using our app.”
With over 20 million teens using Snapchat in the US alone, the need for robust safety measures is paramount. While the platform has faced criticism for not doing enough to protect minors, these latest updates demonstrate a commitment to creating a safer online experience. It remains to be seen, however, how effectively these features will deter bad actors and how many parents will utilize the existing parental control options offered by Snapchat.
