Chapter 1. LaunchPad for Media and Culture 11e

Digital Update Activity: Snapchat and Legal Controls

Digital Update Activity: Snapchat and Legal Controls
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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Snapchat, which was launched in 2011, quickly became popular for its “disappearing” photo messages that could not be viewed again once they were opened. This feature makes users feel like their snaps are both safe and impermanent. But to what extent is this true? To what extent is it risky to engage with Snap Inc.? This activity involves getting inside Snapchat’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Do you and your friends use Snapchat? If so, did you thoroughly read Snapchat’s “Terms of Service” and “Privacy Policy” when you signed up? (Note that users who agree to Snapchat’s “Terms of Service” are also implicitly agreeing to the company’s “Privacy Policy.” The “Privacy Policy” is buried in a link in the “Rights You Grant Us” and “Privacy” sections.) When you signed up, did you hesitate when Snap Inc. asked you to share your entire phonebook with the company?

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Description

Description: Your instructor has assigned you a segment of Snapchat’s “Terms of Service” and “Privacy Policy” to read through. Your job is to explain and reword key aspects of the assigned section in very concrete and relatable language as you work through this activity.

Use the space below to answer the following question.

Question

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To begin, please write the segment that you have been assigned in the box below.

Analysis

Analysis: Carefully read through the section of Snapchat’s “Terms of Service” (found here: https://www.snap.com/en-US/terms/) or “Privacy Policy” (found here: https://www.snap.com/en-GB/privacy/privacy-policy/) that you have been assigned. Analyze this piece of Snapchat’s policy and take some notes in the box below to help prepare yourself to explain it to the rest of your class. Here are some questions that may guide your discussion.

  • If we “choose” (Snapchat’s words) to use their service, what are we giving Snapchat permission to do?
  • What kind of information does Snapchat collect from you and your phone contacts?
  • How does Snapchat use your location?
  • How does Snapchat view your privacy?
  • What does Snapchat have to say about third-party services?
  • What are Snapchat’s policies in terms of arbitration and going to court?
  • Are there any differences between Snapchat’s Terms of Use in the United States versus Snapchat’s Terms of Use for anyone living outside the United States? (Note: The international Terms of Use is directly below the U.S. Terms of Use).
  • To what extent is Snapchat responsible for how their affiliated third parties collect or use your information?
  • What can you learn about how long Snapchat and their affiliates keep your content?
  • Can you find out what Snapchat services will lose their functionality if you turn off your phonebook or location services?
  • What kinds of choices do you have to modify the kinds of ads being marketed to you?
  • What kind of control do you have over your information?
  • Snapchat talks about being part of a Privacy Shield Framework and suggests it has Privacy Shield Certification. Does it?

Use the space below for notetaking.

Question

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Use the space below for notetaking.

Interpretation

Interpretation: What does this all mean in terms of our privacy and control over our own information when using Snapchat? Does the reality of Snapchat’s use of our information go against the ethics of “disappearing” messages?

Share your interpretation in the box below.

Question

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Share your interpretation in the box below.

Evaluation

Use the space below to answer the following questions.

Question

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Evaluation: Is Snapchat good for us? Should we keep using Snapchat?