Snap Terms of Service permit Snap to use content submitted by users for any purpose, including revenue generating purposes, and acknowledge Snap leverages the collection of user data to sell advertising.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Snap withholds electronic communication contents
Snap withheld the contents of electronic communications.
Snap withheld the contents of electronic communications, however.
Workplace equitySettlementAgainst
Snap Inc. reached a $15 million settlement with California’s Civil Rights Department to resolve allegations of sexual harassment
Snap Inc. and California’s Civil Rights Department have reached a $15-million settlement to resolve allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation at the Santa Monica-based company.
Snap Inc. and California’s Civil Rights Department have reached a $15-million settlement to resolve allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation at the Santa Monica-based company.
Workplace equityProposed settlementAgainst
Snap Inc. reached a $15 million settlement agreement with the California Civil Rights Department over allegations of sex-based employment discrimination
The proposed settlement involving Snap Inc. concerns women at the company.
Founded in 2011, Snap Inc., which is based in Santa Monica, California, underwent a period of rapid growth, increasing its employee count from 250 in 2015 to over 5,000 in 2022.
Women are entitled to equality in every job, in every workplace, and in every industry.” The settlement announced today resolves a more than three-year investigation into Snap Inc. over claims of employment discrimination, equal pay violations, and sexual harassment and retaliation.
SACRAMENTO – The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today announced obtaining a $15 million settlement agreement with Snap Inc. — known for the Snapchat social media platform — over alleged discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against women at the company.
Founded in 2011, Snap Inc., which is based in Santa Monica, California, underwent a period of rapid growth, increasing its employee count from 250 in 2015 to over 5,000 in 2022.
The settlement, which must be approved by the court, stems from a three-year investigation into claims of equal pay violations, sexual harassment, employment discrimination and retaliation at Snap Inc.
Women who worked at Snap in California between 2014 and 2024 may be eligible for a share of $14.5 million in monetary compensation from the settlement.
Ukraine & RussiaConfirmedYou decide
Snapchat donates $15 million to Ukraine
Snapchat donates $15 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukraine.
Ukraine is home to 300 Snapchat employees. The company stated that it will continue to offer its app in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus as it's an "important communication tool," for family and friends. It said that it will, however, continue to "vigilantly" monitor platforms to prevent and remove any misinformation or misuse. It has also pledged $15 million in humanitarian aid to support organizations providing relief to people in Ukraine and has also provided emergency assistance to ensure the safe relocation of team members.
Snapchat joins other Big Tech companies in banning ad sales to Russia — and will donate $15 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukraine | Business Insider Africa
Workplace equityAllegationAgainst
Snap accused of promoting male friends over qualified women
Snap is accused of promoting male friends over qualified women in hiring decisions.
"Snap remains committed to supporting access to important health care benefits for our team members, and have worked closely with our benefit providers to cover travel for team members seeking medical treatments, including abortion banned in their state of residence.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Snapchat is accused of misleading users on snap duration
Snapchat is accused of misleading users by claiming senders control snap viewing duration when in fact recipients control it.
It prohibits Snapchat from misrepresenting: (1) the extent to which a message is deleted after being viewed; (2) the extent to which it can detect and notify senders when recipients have captured screenshots; (3) the categories of covered information collected; and (4) the steps it takes to protect against misuse or unauthorized disclosure of covered information.
As alleged in the complaint , Snapchat was warned by a security researcher about this possibility, yet the company continued to misrepre sent that the sender controls how long a recipient can view a snap.
As alleged in the complaint , Snapchat was warned by a security researcher about this possibility, yet the company continued to misrepre sent that the sender controls how long a recipient can view a snap.
It prohibits Snapchat from misrepresenting: (1) the extent to which a message is deleted after being viewed; (2) the extent to which it can detect and notify senders when recipients have captured screenshots; (3) the categories of covered information collected; and (4) the steps it takes to protect against misuse or unauthorized disclosure of covered information.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Snap explores EU pilot age verification
Snap is exploring an EU pilot age verification system to help meet Digital Services Act obligations without sharing personal data.
Reportedly Snap has cooperated with the investigation and is exploring an EU pilot age verification system that lets users prove they are over 18 without sharing personal data, which could help meet obligations under the Digital Services Act.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Snap accused of deception about app addictiveness
Snap is accused of deception regarding the addictiveness of its app, hiding information relevant to parents considering teen usage.
Snap’s deception and misrepresentations about the addictiveness of its app conceal information that is highly relevant to consumers, particularly parents choosing whether to let their teenagers use the Snapchat app.
COMPLAINT FOR
Privacy & surveillanceSettlementAgainst
Snapchat settles privacy promises violation
Snapchat settles privacy promises violation as part of FTC's effort to ensure truthful app marketing and upheld privacy promises.
Your comment indicate s that you are concerned about Snapchat ' s alleged deceptive misrepre sentations and that you do not want Snapchat to store any of your personal information.
Your comment indicates that you are concerned about Snapchat' s alleged deceptive misrepresentations, and you believe that the terms of the proposed order are "far too lenient." The Complaint in this matter alleges that Snapchat made material misrepresentations, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, and the proposed order is designed to rectify this misconduct.
Count 6 alleges that Snapchat misrepresented that it employs reasonable security measures to protect personal information from misuse and unauthorized disclosure.
Your comment indicat es that you are concerned about the privacy implications of Snapchat's misrepresen tations , and that you believe that Snapchat's executives should be held financially liable.
The Complaint in this matter alleges that Snapchat made material misrepresentations, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, and the proposed order is designed to rectify this misconduct.
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Snapchat deceived consumers with promises about the disappearing nature of messages...
Snapchat Settles FTC Charges That Promises of Disappearing Messages Were False | Federal Trade Commission
That Snapchat deceptively told its users that the sender would be notified if a recipient took a screenshot of a snap.
According to the FTC’s complaint, Snapchat made multiple misrepresentations to consumers about its product that stood in stark contrast to how the app actually worked.
In fact, the case alleges, Snapchat’s failure to secure its Find Friends feature resulted in a security breach that enabled attackers to compile a database of 4.6 million Snapchat usernames and phone numbers.
The settlement with Snapchat is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to ensure that companies market their apps truthfully and keep their privacy promises to consumers.
Under the terms of its settlement with the FTC, Snapchat will be prohibited from misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy, security, or confidentiality of users’ information.
Snapchat, the developer of a popular mobile messaging app, has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers with promises about the disappearing nature of messages sent through the service.
The settlement with Snapchat is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to ensure that companies market their apps truthfully and keep their privacy promises to consumers. It prohibits Snapchat from misrepresenting the extent to which it maintains the privacy, security, or confidentiality of users’ information.
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Snapchat deceived consumers with promises about the disappearing nature of messages sent through the service.
According to the FTC’s complaint, which was first announced in May, 2014, Snapchat also deceived consumers over the amount of personal data it collected and the security measures taken to protect that data from misuse and unauthorized disclosure.
Count 6 alleges that Snapchat misrepresented that it employs reasonable security measures to protect personal information from misuse and unauthorized disclosure.
Your comment indicates that you are concerned about Snapchat' s alleged deceptive misrepresentations, and you believe that the terms of the proposed order are "far too lenient." The Complaint in this matter alleges that Snapchat made material misrepresentations, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, and the proposed order is designed to rectify this misconduct.
The Complaint in this matter alleges that Snapchat made material misrepresentations, in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, and the proposed order is designed to rectify this misconduct.
Your comment indicat es that you are concerned about the privacy implications of Snapchat's misrepresen tations , and that you believe that Snapchat's executives should be held financially liable.
Your comment indicate s that you are concerned about Snapchat ' s alleged deceptive misrepre sentations and that you do not want Snapchat to store any of your personal information.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Snap is accused of marketing as safe to minors
Snap is accused of marketing its app as safe for users as young as 13 despite knowing it poses significant harm to minors.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the Commonwealth requests that the Court: A. Enter judgment in favor of the Commonwealth and against Snap; B. Declare that Snap’s actions violate the UTPCPL; C. Temporarily and permanently enjoin Snap to prevent future violations of the UTPCPL; D. Award civil penalties for Snap’s willful violations; E.
Even though such posts are readily available on Snapchat, Snap tells Pennsylvania consumers in the App Store that “mature/suggestive themes” are “infrequent/mild” on the platform.
Snap markets its app as safe for users as young as 13 even though Snap knows that its app carries a high risk of harm to minors and indeed does harm many minors.
Consumers are suffering, have suffered, and will continue to suffer substantial injury as a result of Snap’s violations of the UTPCPL.
Snap Inc. (“Snap”) operates the Snapchat social media platform, which is enormously popular among Pennsylvania teenagers and easily accessible to them online.
Snap’s acts and practices described herein constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as prohibited by Section 201-3 of the UTPCPL as defined by Section 201-2(4)(v) (“Representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits or quantities that they do not have”); (vii) (“Representing that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality or grade, or that goods are of a particular style or model, if they are of another”); and (xxi) (“Engaging in any other fraudulent or deceptive conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding”).
Snap also knowingly deceives Pennsylvania consumers about the risk of harm that its app poses to young users.
Snap’s acts and practices described herein constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices, as prohibited by Section 201-3 of the UTPCPL as defined by Section 201-2(4), 201-3, and elsewhere.
Snap has engaged in and is engaging in false, misleading, and deceptive acts and practices in its representations and advertisements regarding the content available on Snapchat, as prohibited by Section 201-3 of the UTPCPL as defined by Section 201-2(4), 201-3, and elsewhere.
Snap inaccurately and deceptively reports to the Apple App Store that the Snapchat platform contains either “none,” “infrequent/mild,” or “infrequent” mature content, including “Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References,” “Sexual Content or Nudity,” “Mature/Suggestive Themes,” “Mature or Suggestive Themes,” and “Profanity or Crude Humor.” Snap knows when making these misrepresentations that they will appear on Snapchat’s page on the App Store, along with a representation that Snapchat is rated “12+” or “13+,” for consumers to see when deciding whether to download Snapchat (or permit minors in their care to do so).
Snap engaged and continues to engage in trade and commerce in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by, among other acts, marketing and offering in exchange for valuable consideration its social media platform to Pennsylvania consumers and hosting and profiting from advertisements on its platform.
Snap has established its enormous market share among teenage users of social media in part by marketing Snapchat as safe for minor users. It has achieved that market share through numerous misrepresentations and by deceiving consumers, including consumers in Pennsylvania.
Snap’s design, marketing, and offering of an app specifically designed to addict young users is an unfair practice, is unconscionable, and is contrary to public policy with no countervailing benefit.
Snap deliberately designed Snapchat to be addictive and knows that it causes a range of mental health problems in users. It employs numerous coercive and addictive features that draw users, especially minors, to the app and keep them on the app as long as possible to increase Snap’s revenue and profits at the expense of the well-being of users.
Snap’s violations occurred in or affect more than one district in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia County.
Snap cuts 1,000 jobs as AI drives wave of tech sector layoffs
Shares in Snap Inc (NYSE:SNAP) rose 8% after Wednesday's close following its announcement that it will lay off around 1,000 employees as it accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence to streamline operations.
"Modern technology, for all of its vast benefits, has really opened up a Wild West of potential threats to our children," Sunday said. "Snapchat keeps users in its grip by providing an engrossing experience from the moment the users tap open the app."
SNAP FOUNDATION: Murphy and Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel announced the creation of the Snap Foundation and reportedly plan to donate 13 million Class A shares of Snapchat stock to the foundation over the next 15 to 20 years.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
SNAP benefits at $6.20 per day for participants
SNAP benefits amount to $6.20 per person per day, with healthy food costs being the top reported barrier.
SNAP benefits average only $6.20 per person per day, and the cost of healthy foods is the most common barrier SNAP participants report to achieving a healthy diet.
Political spendingConfirmedYou decide
Snap stops promoting Trump in Discover Feed
Snap ceased promoting Donald Trump in its Discover feed, reinforcing its anti-Trump stance.
Snap Will Stop Promoting Trump In Its Discover Feed, Doubling Down On Anti-Trump Stance
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Snap accused of misrepresenting collection actions
Snap is accused of misrepresenting in collection emails that it may take further action due to a consumer's non-payment under their Purchase Agreement.
In fact, since at least January 2017, Snap Finance has not forcibly repossessed merchandise due to non-payment, or otherwise taken legal action against a consumer due to non -payment under a Purchase Agreement.
Since at least January 2017, Snap Finance has misrepresented in collection emails that the company may imminently take “further action” due to a consumer’s non- payment under their Purchase Agreement .
As a result, the Snap Defendants’ violation of EFTA and Regulation E, as described in Count III, constitutes a violation of the CFPA.
Snap Finance’s use of the prominent phrase “100 Day Cash Payoff” in its advertisements was material and likely to mislead consumers acting reasonably under the circumstances as to the nature of the Snap Defendants’ Purchase Agreements.
THE SNAP DEFENDANTS’ VIOLATIONS OF LAW COUNT I: VIOLATION OF THE CFPA (Deceptive Acts or Practices) The Snap Defendants used the misleading phrase “100 Day Cash Payoff” in advertisements for their Purchase Agreements.
Permanently enjoin the Snap Defendants from committing future violations of the CFPA, EFTA and Regulation E, TILA and Regulation Z, and FCRA and Regulation V in connection with the advertising, contracting, and servicing of Purchase Agreements; b. Grant additional injunctive relief as the Court may deem just and proper; c. Award monetary relief, including but not limited to rescission or reformation of the Purchase Agreements; the refund of monies paid; restitution; disgorgement or compensation for unjust enrichment; and the payment of damages; d. Award the Bureau civil money penalties; e. Award the Bureau the costs of bringing this action; and f.
Permanently enjoin the Snap Defendants from committing future violations of the CFPA, EFTA and Regulation E, TILA and Regulation Z, and FCRA and Regulation V in connection with the advertising, contracting, and servicing of Purchase Agreements; b. Grant additional injunctive relief as the Court may deem just and proper; c. Award monetary relief, including but not limited to rescission or reformation of the Purchase Agreements; the refund of monies paid; restitution; disgorgement or compensation for unjust enrichment; and the payment of damages; d. Award the Bureau civil money penalties; e.
In particular, Snap Finance provided merchants with advertisements to display in their stores that misrepresented an early payment discount option and failed to disclose the true costs consumers would incur under the Agreements .
23 The Snap Defendants’ Merchant Portal application and contracting process materially interfered with consumers’ ability to understand the terms and conditions of their Purchase Agreements.
Since at least January 2017, Snap Finance has misrepresented that consumers —including those current on their payment obligations—must continue making payments , including by misrepresenting that: (1) consumers may not terminate their Agreement absent a merchant agreeing to accept the merchandise as a return; (2) consumers cannot surrender their merchandise to Snap Finance, and thus must continue making payments (including for mattresses, tires, or merchandise damaged through no fault of the consumer); and (3) the “best” or “only” option for consumers who no longer want their financed merchandise is entering into a new “buy-back” settlement agreement with Snap Finance and keeping the merchandise.
Through the fall of 2020, the Snap Defendants designed their primary financing application to be completed —and for consumers’ Purchase Agreements to be signed and submitted—on a merchant’s computer or tablet.
The Snap Defendants’ illegal conduct pervaded virtually every step of the consumer experience, from advertising to contracting to servicing.
COUNT VII: VIOLATION OF THE CFPA (Deceptive Acts or Practices) The Snap Defendants misrepresented consumers’ right to terminate their payment obligations.
In the limited circumstances in which the Purchase Agreements permitted consumers to terminate their payment obligations, Snap Finance’s misrepresentations impeded consumers’ ability to do so.
As a result, the Snap Defendants’ violation of TILA and Regulation Z, as described in Count V, constitutes a violation of the CFPA.
COUNT VIII: VIOLATION OF THE CFPA (Deceptive Acts or Practices) The Snap Defendants misrepresented consumers’ payment obligations and threatened actions the Snap Defendants do not take.
The lawsuit alleged Snap misled consumers about the basics of binding agreements so consumers were signing 12-month agreements that included hefty leasing fees equivalent to 152% APR interest.
The CFPB alleges that Snap Finance violated the law in several ways including by running misleading ads, misrepresenting consumer payment obligations and making false threats in collections. The company illegally obscured terms and conditions of its rental purchase agreements, which led to exorbitant charges for consumers, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement.
Privacy & surveillanceAllegationAgainst
Snap introduced 'My AI', a chatbot feature
In February 2023, Snap introduced “My AI,” a chatbot feature, for Snapchat+ subscribers.16 In April 2023, Snap made My AI available to all Snapchat users.
Snap launched ‘My AI’ for its premium Snapchat+ subscribers on 27 February 2023, before it was subsequently made available to all Snapchat users on 19 April 2023.
In June 2023, the ICO opened an investigation into “My AI” following concerns that Snap had not met its legal obligation to adequately assess the data protection risks posed by the new chatbot.The investigation led to the ICO issuing a Preliminary Enforcement Notice to Snap on 6 October 2023 for alleged breaches of Articles 35 and 36 UK GDPR.
The ICO has concluded its investigation into Snap’s approach to assessing the data protection risks of its “My AI” chatbot.
On 23 June 2023, the Commissioner informed Snap that his office was investigating whether Snap had infringed Articles 35 and 36 UK GDPR when launching the My AI feature on Snapchat and Snapchat+.36 On the same date, the Commissioner issued Snap with a second Information Notice (the “ June Information Notice”), which requested copies of specified documents and information relating to the introduction of the My AI feature and the 32 Paragraph 22 of the written representations 33 Email from the ICO to [Snap employee], 2 June 2023 (08:55) 34 Email from [Snap employee] to the ICO, 2 June 2023 (16:26) 35 Email from the ICO to [Snap employee], 5 June 2023 (15:18) 36 Letter from the ICO to [Snap employee] and [Snap employee], 23 June 2023
In February 2023, Snap introduced “My AI,” a chatbot feature, for Snapchat+ subscribers.16 In April 2023, Snap made My AI available to all Snapchat users.
Securities Fraud Investigation Into Snap Inc. (SNAP) Announced – Investors Who Lost Money Urged to Contact Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Snap addresses allegations over design and recommendation systems
Snap is addressing allegations regarding its design and recommendation systems, including potential impacts on child safety and data policies.
In the coming period, investors will likely focus on how Snap addresses the allegations around Snapchat's design and recommendation systems, as well as any changes it may make to child safety features, data policies, or moderation tools.
Snap (SNAP) Faces Lawsuit Over Claims Snapchat Enabled Grooming Of Minors
An undercover investigation carried out by the New Mexico DOJ revealed a vast network of dark web sites dedicated to sharing stolen, non-consensual sexual images from Snap – finding more than 10,000 records related to Snap and CSAM in the last year alone, including information related to minors younger than 13 being sexually assaulted.
The lawsuit alleges that Snap knowingly misrepresented the app’s safety to parents and consumers by promoting it with “12+” and “T for Teen” age ratings on app stores, while simultaneously exposing users to dangerous and mature content that includes profanity, sex content, nudity, and drug use.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin files lawsuit against Snap, Inc., alleging Snapchat was deceptively designed to addict minors.
In addition to lawsuits by families, Arkansas' latest social media lawsuit is one of several filed by state attorneys general across the country against Snap, Inc. under state deceptive trade practice laws, claiming the social media platform has harmed childrens' mental health and enabled the proliferation of child sexual abuse material.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
snap is accused of encouraging driving while snapping
Snap is accused of encouraging users to snap while driving at dangerous speeds, leading to multiple deaths.
For example, one former Snapchat feature, its speed filter, encouraged users to snap while driving at dangerous speeds and caused multiple deaths.15 73.
COMPLAINT FOR
Workplace equityConfirmedYou decide
Snap supports DEI programs
Snap supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to uplift global Snapchatter experiences.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Snap has long supported Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, so that every team member uses their unique backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to build products that uplift the lived experiences of Snapchatters globally.
Corporate conductAllegationAgainst
Pennsylvania sued Snap Inc
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP) on Tuesday, accusing the Snapchat parent of designing features that keep children compulsively engaged while misleading families about age-inappropriate content and platform risks.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP) on Tuesday, accusing the Snapchat parent of designing features that keep children compulsively engaged while misleading families about age-inappropriate content and platform risks.
Media & the pressAllegationAgainst
Snapchat is accused of being sued over fatal car crash role
Snapchat is accused of being sued over its role in a fatal car crash, with a court ruling that Snapchat can be sued for that involvement.
Snapchat Can Be Sued Over Role In Fatal Car Crash, Court Rules
Workplace equityConfirmedIn favor
Snapchat says Black and Hispanic representation grew 0.5% since 2019
Snapchat said the representation of Black and Hispanic employees increased by 0.5% since 2019 and that it is committed to new diversity goals within the next three years.
Snapchat said that the overall representation of Black and Hispanic employees of the company has grown 0.5% since 2019, and said it is committed to reaching new diversity goals within the next three years.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Snapchat customer service contact advised
Snapchat advises users to contact customer service support to request that personal information not be withheld or collected.
As to your request that you do not want personal information withheld or collected by Snapchat, the Commission advises that you contact Snapchat ' s customer service support with this request.
As to your request that you do not want personal information withheld or collected by Snapchat, the Commission advises that you contact Snapchat ' s customer service support with this request.