For those of you who are still unaware, Snapchat introduces yet another feature that lets you share your location with your friends on a virtual map: Snap Map. The feature utilizes your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location, similar to other mapping apps, including where your Snapchat friends are. Everyone using the app is represented by a Bitmoji, basically an avatar of yourself.
Aside from disturbing relationships and friend circles for years to come, it can also be the biggest privacy threat to users of this app.
What Snapchat does not tell you is that if you are not extra careful, the feature will share your exact location with anyone on your friend’s list every single time you open the application.
And because of this, it opens doors to many dangerous scenarios that could happen. What if you’re the only person at home? What if you’re walking by yourself in a shady street? What if you are traveling somewhere and your phone pings your exact location?
These just show how dangerous the feature can be, not only for teenagers but even for adults.
Although Snapchat says they prioritize the safety and security of their users, it continues to be a gateway for stalking, lurking, and other unsafe actions with real-life results.
If you wish to disable Snap Map, choose ‘Ghost Mode’ on Snapchat’s first walkthrough. If you have already allowed location sharing for the Snapchat feature, tap the settings gear found on top right while viewing the Snap Map, and tap ‘Ghost Mode’ from there.
