FTC Finalizes User Privacy Charges Against Snapchat

The Federal Trade Commission this week approved a final order settling charges that Snapchat deceived consumers with promises about the disappearing nature of messages sent through the service.

The FTC’s complaint, which was first announced in May 2014, further alleged that Snapchat deceived consumers over the amount of personal data it collected and the security measures taken to protect that data from misuse and unauthorized disclosure. “In fact, Snapchat’s failure to secure its Find Friends feature resulted in a security breach that enabled attackers to compile a database of 4.6 million Snapchat usernames and phone numbers,” the FTC alleged.

According to the FTC’s complaint, approved Dec. 31, 2014, Snapchat...