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According to a recent study of the French polling society Médiamétrie, more than 40 % of the 15-25 year-old French Internet users have an account on Snapchat. This gives us the opportunity to have a look at the “private life” parameters proposed by this application.

What is the goal of Snapchat ?

Snapchat is used to send snaps between friends and create stories.

This short-lived messaging application commits itself to erasing all exchanged content – texts, photos and videos – after a few seconds, unless you record it on your Smartphone or you publish it in one of your stories.

In this last case, the contents can be read infinitely by the users during up to 24 hours!

The French Commission on Information Technology and Liberties, aka CNIL, helps you to set the parameters for a safe use of this application.

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Hide your phone number

Why it is important? Your number can be registered by users you don’t know or you do not wish to know.

Go to the general parameters and uncheck the option “Authorize my friends to find me”.

Activate the authentication by SMS

Why it is important? This option allows to have a second way of authentication if you lose your password.

Go to the general parameters, and select ”authentication”, then follow the procedure.

Authorize only my friends to send me snaps

Why it is important? Select this option to avoid being contacted by a malicious stranger, or simply to avoid being identified as a Snapchat user.

Go to the general parameters, and select ”who can send me snaps”, then “my friends”.

Authorize only my friends to see My Story

Why it is important? A story can be seen and shared as many times as possible during the 24 hours which follow its posting. Some stories interest just a small part of your friends.

Go to the general parameters, and select ”who can see My Story “

Use a pseudonym, not your name and surname

Why it is important? A pseudonym allows you to separate your real ID from the statements you make on the platform. This protects your real ID and prevents you from being found on the basis of your name/surname.

The trap? Some pseudonyms are less effective than others: a pseudonym already associated to your photo, one which is used on another social network and/or a simple nickname offer fewer guarantees. The tip: use a pseudonym generator.

 

Source : CNIL’s website