Can you still anonymously Snap your (maybe not-so-innocent) thoughts to your friends on Snapchat? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding “no.” In response to increasing pressure from law enforcement, the social media giant recently announced updated guidelines specifically targeting proxy messaging apps. In other words, they are cracking down on users who attempt to disguise their identities while sending messages through third-party apps.
As of March 2022, Snapchat no longer supports anonymous messages from third-party applications. Old plugins that support Snapchat messaging will no longer work to protect users’ identities.
Apart from the recent ban on anonymous messaging from third-party apps, there’s still so much new stuff on Snapchat. Getting the hang of messaging other users safely won’t be complete without correct info.
That’s why this guide provides vital details on Snapchat you must know to max out its potential. The information in this article helps you know what you can and can’t do through the Snapchat app.
Table of Contents
Can You Be Anonymous on Snapchat?
You can no longer send anonymous messages on Snapchat to other users. Prior to the ban on anonymous messages, you could send messages without an identity through almost a dozen apps.
Prior to Snapchat’s updates to their developer policy, you could send anonymous messages from Yolo, Hootsuite, Nitter, and other apps with ease. However, the abuse of anonymous messaging by some Snapchat users made such a policy change necessary.
Most of these third-party apps no longer support messaging to Snapchat. The few ones that still support Snapchat integration will post your messages along with your identity.
Can I Hide My Identity on Snapchat?
You can hide your identity from public view on Snapchat, but sending anonymous messages is not possible anymore.
Snapchat users can hide their profiles, location, Stories, phone numbers, email addresses and personal information. Hiding this information from the public makes it easy to create restricted Stories among a small group.
However, anyone with your Snapcode will be able to see your content. Avoid sharing your Snapcode on Twitter or Facebook if you’re serious about protecting your identity.
What Kind of Data Does Snapchat Collect?
According to Snapchat’s Privacy Policy, they collect your registered name, email address, date of birth, username & password along with other information. The Privacy Policy page on snap.com expressly says Snapchat collects:
- The information they receive whenever you use Snapchat
- Information they get from third-parties (apps)
- All the information you provide at registration or later
Snapchat collects your private message information (Stories and text) and might keep it for several weeks. In some cases, Stories from accounts could remain on servers used by Snapchat for 2 – 3+ weeks.
Snapchat also collects metadata on your Snaps, their recipient, and timestamps each message was sent.
Why Does Snapchat Collect User Data?
Snapchat has some services that are inaccessible without an account. Users must register with their information to interact fully with Snapchat.
Snapchat collects this information to personalize services, improve marketing and ensure safe use in line with their Privacy Policy. User data is also collected to target ads and improve integration with other apps.
While information about Snaps, Stories and other content don’t last, Snapchat retains your sign-up and profile details permanently.
Can Third-Party Apps Share Your Identity on Snapchat?
Third-party apps with Snapchat can only share information you provide during integration. If you granted an app permission to view your personal information, the plugin could share your identity on Snapchat.
Whenever you send a message through this platform, your identity is not protected. Other users can easily see who is behind the screen, leaving you open to potential stalkers or cyber criminals. So next time you hit “send,” think about the potential consequences of exposing your online identity.
Can I Send Anonymous Messages from Third-Party Apps to Snapchat?
You can send messages from a few third-party apps to Snapchat. However, you can’t send anonymous messages to Snapchat users from the second quarter of 2022.
Policy changes limited the reach of most third-party app developers to protect against abuse and cyberbullying.
Criticism for Snapchat’s handling of online harassment cases have been common among users since its launch. The changes aim to increase authentic messaging and support easy user identification after a policy breach.
Can You Use Snapchat without an Account?
Snapchat users can watch and share videos from its platform to other apps without an account. You can use Snapchat to send Stories and feature this content on other platforms, even without adding any personal information.
The feature is handy for users who want to use Snapchat briefly without having to go through hassles of registering an account. With this feature, users can send a collection of photos or videos to friends by mail or text (SMS or MMS).
You also don’t need to download the app to use these features. The link to your preferred Story should be enough to get you started.
