Snapchat Location Sharing

Snapchat is inherently a different kind of social network from Twitter and Facebook and even Instagram, though both the platforms are photo/video focused. But, like with many other social networks at one time or another, it has been in the news lately due to a new feature that many feel violates user privacy.

Snapchat recently unveiled a new feature 'Snap Map' that lets users see where their snap friends are at all times on a map of the world. It isn't optional. All user locations went live when the app updated. I didn't even know the feature had been added to my app until seeing an article about it on Twitter. I immediately googled how to turn the feature off, using what Snapchat calls 'Ghost Mode'. Even in Ghost Mode I am still able to see where my friends are who have not entered Ghost Mode. I messaged a few of them asking if they were aware of this new location sharing feature and they were not. They all promptly entered Ghost Mode.

I've seen a number of articles this past week with educators, parents, and police stations urging their community members and families to turn the feature off. This article discusses concern for young people who use the app and with this new location sharing could be exposed to bullying and stalking. Advocacy groups are advocating that users know exactly who is on their 'friend' list on Snapchat before keeping the feature installed.

This is an instance where I wonder if the connectedness that social media and networks bring (which I usually consider a positive) has veered off into a negative. It seems especially problematic that many users may not even realize they have this feature automatically turned on and also may not realize they have a public account, meaning anyone in the world who has added them can follow their location at all times. I love that I can connect and interact with people from around the world over various social networks, but this forced feature seems like a step in the wrong direction.

Do any of you use Snapchat? Do you feel more comfortable in Ghost Mode or are you a fan of the new feature?

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