Snap is stepping up its efforts to combat bullying and abuse on the platform. It will no longer allow third-party apps that connect to its platform to send anonymous messages.
What’s New?
While most individuals utilised these capabilities in “fun, entertaining, and fully appropriate ways,” the business admitted that some people would use anonymity “to engage in dangerous behavior.”
Third-party apps that want to engage with consumers through a Snapchat integration must have registered users with visible usernames and IDs.
What’s More?
Snap initiated a review of Snap Kit standards and practices in May, after locking two third-party apps that allowed for anonymous messages out of its developer marketplace.
The decision was made shortly after a lawsuit was filed in connection with the death of a teen who was reportedly bullied through the apps Yolo and LMK. The mother of the adolescent attempted to hold the developers of all three apps accountable.
Digging In More Details
According to The Verge, this policy will effect 2% of the more than 1,500 developers who have access to Snap Kit. Another regulatory change will affect 3% of Snap Kit developers: friend-finding apps will only be available to those 18 and up.
Snap is making the move in order to protect younger users and to make things “more consistent with Snapchat’s use case – chats between close friends who already know one other.”