Blog #5: Snapchat's Terms & Conditions

Blog #5: Snapchat's Terms and Conditions

Snapchat is an app that is popular among social media users. The app allows users to communicate through photos, direct messaging, and story sharing. Similar to all social media platforms, prior to signing up the user is presented with the “Terms and Conditions” of the app itself. The question then arises, what is in these conditions? The average social media user will not even think twice before hitting “agree” before reading the conditions- myself included. I have taken the time to briefly browse over Snapchat’s Terms and Conditions and have quickly noticed a large amount of information I was blind to. For example, a qualification to properly follow the guidelines- no one under the age of 13 is able to create a Snapchat account. Snapchat first came out in 2011, which would have made me 9 years old at the time. I vividly remember setting up my first account with the username, “e_br0ckk”, completely unaware of the guidelines. 

Similar to the age limit on Snapchat, other cites that produce alcohol ask the user if they are 21 before browsing the cite. In order to gain access, the only thing required is the click of a button, similar to Snapchat. Another guideline I found interesting is that by using the app you must agree that you are not a convicted sex offender. As I previously mentioned, signing up as a 9-year-old I was unaware of any of the particular guidelines a Snapchat user. When it comes to age or convicted crimes, how are these characteristics monitored? I understand the reasoning for including such specific guidelines, but I do not understand how the app itself would keep track of each user who is not properly following the guidelines. For example, creating an account as a 9-year-old, I was never penalized for breaking the guidelines after agreeing to the terms. Ultimately, this makes me question how they monitor something as serious as a sex offender on their platform. Also, the platform has gained such a large number of users regulating these terms have to be a difficult task.  

Another takeaway I gained from reviewing the terms is the amount of power that Snapchat has over the content produced. It states, “while we’re not required to do so, we may access, review, screen, and delete your content at any time and for any reason, including to provide and develop the Services or if we think your content violates these Terms”. Signing up to a social media platform, I understood that there are many twists and turns to all the material that is posted on a platform that is owned by a large company. The concept that stuck out to me the most was the vague language that Snapchat used to describe this policy. Stating “if we think” or “…delete your content at any time for any reason”, sounds as if they are able to delete any user's content as they please. Although I understand the point they are trying to get across, the vague language appears as if they are in control of any and all content produced. Throughout Snapchat’s Terms and Conditions, it appears to be a trend of using vague language to explain their guidelines. I believe that this is an important part missing within the agreement. The concept of being vague appears to the reader that they are potentially trying to hide something, when in fact it could be to make the reading shorter and easier to read. 

Aside from the vague language when talking about Snapchat’s rights over the content users produce, it is clearly stated within the Terms and Conditions of the many rights users must respect among other users. Within this section, it clearly states all of the guidelines it expects when using the app. Snapchat’s most reliable form of communication is a message with pictures. The Terms and Conditions become very important when a user is abusing their rights to the app and using someone else’s picture in a negative manner. Scheinbaum (2018) mentions the concept of “digital drama”. She defines this term as “occurrence of and reactions to negative online consumer behaviors such as sexting, cyberbullying, fear of missing out, abuse, and related online happenings” (Scheinbaum, 2018, pg. 5). This concept direct correlates with Snapchat because of the amount of digital drama that takes place within this app. Even within my personal life, I have had friends in situations where a picture was sent to an individual and ended up out in the public. Reading Snapchat’s guidelines to this keeps a sense of peace in mind that they do not take cases of digital drama lightly, but essentially are unable to stop the action from happening. 

The Terms and Conditions of Snapchat are an easily accessible document for all users. In order to access the document, the user will have to go under their settings, scroll down until they see “More Information” and then “Terms of Service” are located as the third icon. The easy access for this document is a good addition that Snapchat has incorporated. Also, above the section “More Information” there is an option to report feedback of the app and suggest some changes. Within the conditions, it states that if a user was to give the corporation an idea and they were to use the idea, that they were unable to give credit to the individual. This concept is also another negative aspect of the conditions, although it is understandable. In conclusion, reading Snapchat’s Terms and Conditions has motivated me to become more aware of the guidelines of the apps that I use daily. In the past, I have never read the Terms and Conditions for any app prior to signing up. This exercise has shed light on the importance of reading what you are agreeing to before you actually hit “agree”. 

References:

Scheinbaum, A. C. (2018). A framework for the dark side of social media. New York, NY: Routledge.