Since the launch of Snapchat, there have been many updates, modifications, and the introduction of new features which have eventually made it the most popular and the most used app among others. Snapchat has crept too much into the lives of the users that it has become a little concerning sometimes. A lot of controversies have been revolving around Snapchat data tracking activities.
No matter how addictive Snapchat is, all the addiction comes at a cost. Snapchat data tracking has been in the discussions for quite a long period of time. Therefore, in order to know more about it, let us dig deeper into this article and know more about data tracking.
More About the Snapchat Data Tracking Period
The Snapchat tracker is well-known among users for tracking various kinds of data from its users. Now when you sign in to Snapchat then you have to provide basic details along with the basic in-app data that is required. After this, you also agree to certain terms and conditions that require the app’s access to your private data. So once you agree with the terms and conditions, you allow the app to access your data.
Apart from that, Snapchat also collects other information in the form of a snap or a chat. Therefore, if you send a piece of personal information to anyone on Snapchat, the Snapchat data tracking saves it. Due to this reason, the data, if it is private, must not be shared on Snapchat due to privacy reasons.
What Other in-App Information is Collected by Snapchat?
Usually, the data that Snapchat data tracking collects is mainly used for the creation of user profiles. Data such as your interactions, data and time of communication with your mutuals and friends, etc all are stored in Snapchat. Not only this, but Snapchat is also aware of the phone and the model you use, which version of software you have had installed on your phone and even the other apps that you have installed on your device. All this collectively helps in the creation of the unique user data which is later presented on your account as recommendations given by Snapchat and also in the form of advertising.
The app also has all the information of the mobile network you use and if not a mobile network then your wireless network Snapchat does not just have one tracker but many other trackers too like Snapchat username tracker, Snapchat score tracker, and Snapchat location tracker too. Now one cannot object to the data and information that is being accessed by Snapchat because it is a voluntary decision given by the users when they first sign up for Snapchat.
The Snapchat stores also save your information when you visit their website and access the information of your device, IP address, number of times you have visited the page, the type of web browser you are using, and many other details.
Snapchat Data Tracking Through Third-Party Apps
Snapchat data tracking also creeps into the third-party apps in the same manner Facebook and Instagram do. When you sign up for any application, you agree to share all the information in the terms and conditions that are provided to you. All the data that is being collected is quite beneficial to the company as it helps them with collaboration with other companies. All the tech companies show you ads and recommendations based on this data that is being collected by the Snapchat data tracker. In the end, one must remember that the data collected does not just remain in Snapchat’s hands, thus one cannot be sure of privacy and safety at all times.
How can you stop the Snapchat tracker from fetching your data?
One cannot completely stop the access of Snapchat to private data and information but can surely limit the extent to which Snapchat will take the users’ personal information for its use. Furthermore, with the steps given below one can easily stop the third-party apps from fetching data.
Here is how:
- On your phone launch the Snapchat app and tap on the top right corner of the screen.
- After this, you will see a settings gear icon on the screen in the top right corner.
- Scroll down until you see the option of ‘ads’. Tap on the ads option.
- On the new page under the ads option, you will see three more options that would be all checked, namely: audience-based, activity-based and third-party network-based. Uncheck all these options or uncheck according to your preferences.
With just these four steps you can actively stop the Snapchat data tracking through the three ways mentioned above.
Blocking Targeted Apps on Snapchat
Another way to put a stop to Snapchat data tracking is by blocking the targeted apps on Snapchat. The feature of blocking the targeted apps on Snapchat can be implemented by managing the different categories of ads that can be found inside the app. Here is how you can remove the targeted categories by going to the settings in the Snapchat store. Here are the following steps:
- Launch the Snapchat app on your phone and go to the settings option.
- Then scroll down until you see the ads option as done in the previous step.
- Under the ads option, go and look for the ‘lifestyle and interests option’ and tap on it.
- Now, to disable the targeted ads, you need to uncheck all the boxes and the ones that you wish to block.
And this is how you can block the targeted apps from accessing your data. Thus, by repeating these steps, as per your needs, you can put a stop to Snapchat from accessing your private data and fetching information that you consider private.
Latest Articles