By Scott Roblin/CHAT News Today

Snapchat map update raising privacy concerns

Jun 27, 2017 | 8:43 AM

MEDICINE HAT — With over 160 million users every day, Snapchat is one of the most popular mobile apps in the world. However, a recent update from the company has sparked debate about privacy on social media.

Last week Snapchat introduced Snap Map, a GPS-based feature that shows where users and their friends are located while utilizing the app.

It’s an update that has caught the eye of Cst. Josh Argue and the Medicine Hat Police Service.

“The obvious safety risk is that your location is given away wherever you are,” said Argue. “Now that’s not to say there’s nothing you can do about it. You’re able to go in through your general settings and you can disable your location services. And, from my understanding when you’re not on the app itself, it’s not running.”

Snapchat users are also able to enter ‘Ghost Mode’ in the app, which takes profiles off the map and invisible to other users.

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Looking to clear the air about the new update, Snapchat released a statement: “The safety of our community is very important to us and we want to make sure that all Snapchatters, parents and educators have accurate information about how the Snap Map works. With Snap Map, location-sharing is off by default for all users and is completely optional. Snapchatters can choose exactly who they want to share their location with, if at all, and can change that setting at any time. It’s also not possible to share your location with someone who isn’t already your friend on Snapchat, and the majority of interactions on Snapchat take place between close friends.”

The announcement video on Snapchat’s Youtube page has been viewed over 1.3 million times, with dislikes outweighing likes 65 per cent to 35 per cent.

In terms of liability, users must agree to turn on location services before using the maps feature and can turn off location at any time.

Snapchat’s guidelines also state that children under the age of 13 are not allowed to use the app.

Argue said parents are still encouraged to speak with their kids if they have any concerns about apps and social media.

“The best tip I can give parents is communication,” he said. “Keep that open and honest line of communication with your children, and always be researching these things yourself. When you’re looking at your kids cell phone and you see an icon that you don’t understand what it is, ask them about it and then look it up.”

Medicine Hat Police said they will continue to hold presentations in schools through their EPIC program, to better educate both students and adults about the risks involved with social media.