Snapchat Users Beware! New 'Snap Map' Update Can Track Your Location

Snapchat users have been alarmed over the latest update on the app. According to the latest report, the update can allow other users to view your exact location.

Since it's invading other people's privacy, experts urge users to disable this feature in the platform.

Snapchat Update Tracks User's Location

Snapchat Users Beware! New 'Snap Map' Update Can Track Your Location
A "creepy" update on Snapchat could leak your location online. Here's how to disable this option. Alexander Shatov from Unsplash

Snapchat has released a new update that can identify the specific location of a user on the map.

Through the new "Snap Map" feature, a user could determine where specifically you are located on the map. He/she could even know your house number, as well as your street name and number.

According to Fox Business, that's not the only thing that a person can access via this feature. A user could also point out the time to reach your house.

Because of this, many experts grow alarmed that this "Snap Map" option can be used to carry out malicious activities. As such, it can be used in stalking someone or tracking a user's location to steal a valuable object.

How to Disable Snap Map on Snapchat?

For those individuals who are afraid that strangers might track their location online, there's a way to prevent that from happening. You can actually disable the "Snap Map" feature on Snapchat.

According to news.com.au, you can turn it off by going to the app Settings. Then, make sure to choose "Ghost Mode" to disable it completely. From here, the other users won't be able to access your location anymore.

Apart from that, there's a location-sharing feature on your smartphone, but you can also switch this off. To do that, head to your device's settings and turn off the option "precise location."

Three months ago, strangers were able to identify the exact address of a 16-year-old girl. The unidentified gatecrashers sexually assaulted the victim.

Because of this, many experts said that parents should be wary about their children's activities online. After all, it's easier to access digital information than erase it for safety concerns.

As of writing, a Snapchat spokesperson said that the company is now addressing the privacy concerns regarding the "creepy" update on the application.

"Location sharing via the Snap Map is off by default, and Snapchatters who do decide to share their location will only be able to see and be seen by mutual friends," the company representative said.

Additionally, the spokesperson added that Snap has zero-tolerance for any forms of harassment or bullying. They urged the users to submit reports regarding safety concerns on the platform.

Snapchat Plus

Last week, Snapchat officially rolled out its premium subscription service dubbed "Snapchat Plus." According to Tech Tims, users who are subscribed to this will be able to view stories multiple times.

The subscribers can also utilize various themes and icons that are only exclusive in the package.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry

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