Snapchat has responded to the accusation that their updated 'Privacy Policy' and 'Terms of Service' provide the company the rights to store and use people's private selfies and photos, even after that content has already disappeared from the users' devices. 

            Huffington Post reported that the update in the 'Privacy Policy' and the 'Terms and Conditions' were quietly done during the addition of some new features for the app in Oct. 28.

            Confusions have arisen due to the fact that it is easier to click the 'Agree' button than to read the whole thing. Users were also angry with Snapchat because the company didn't disclose to the public the updates to the 'Privacy Policy' and the 'Terms and Conditions.'

            Snapchat has responded to the confusions by posting in their Tumblr account the reasons why they revised the 'Privacy Policy' and 'Terms of Service':

  • "The main thing we did was to re-write the Terms and Privacy Policy so that they'd read the way people actually talk. We always try to be upfront and clear with our community."
  • "We added language to the Terms of Service regarding in-app purchases. We needed to do that now that we're selling Replays and have some other cool products and services we're looking forward to bringing to you soon."
  • "To make it a little easier for friends to find you on Snapchat, we've clarified what info--like your name--will be visible to other Snapchatters and how you can modify that info."

Snapchat also reassured its users that their company still upholds their 'Privacy Policy.' Snaps and messages sent through private chat "are automatically deleted from our servers once we detect that they have been viewed or have expired." But the company warns that the receiver of the Snap has the ability to take a screenshot of the message.

The new 'Terms of Service' grants Snapchat a broad license to use the content its users create. Snapchat released this statement for further clarity: "We need that license when it comes to, for example, Snaps submitted to Live Stories, where we have to be able to show those Stories around the world--and even replay them or syndicate them (something we have said we could do in previous versions of our Terms and Privacy Policy). But we tried to be clear that the Privacy Policy and your own privacy settings within the app could restrict the scope of that license so that your personal communications continue to remain truly personal."