Snapchat Social Network Doesn't Store User Data

Each day, millions of images and messages are sent through  social media platforms. Now, those who have regretted transmitting personal information in this fashion will be relieved to find that a popular new app is making significant strides in changing the way people share private data on social networking sites.

Snapchat doesn't store data -- including messages and photos -- for years on end. Instead, this information is wiped out, permanently, at a time set by the sending / posting user.

It's a simple concept, but early indications reveal that Snapchat is becoming a popular alternative to Facebook. In fact, more than 60 million photos and messages are being exchanged daily through the app, and with good reason.

No Lingering Effects

According to numerous surveys, many people are growing tired of Facebook, with many users complaining about its advertising or inability to protect user privacy. On the latter note, many Facebook users are becoming very aware that their Facebook actions (and those on the Internet in general) have lasting effects.

It's been shown that free social media networks and search engines are continually collecting and storing the interests of average individuals and selling this information to advertisers.

Employers are also getting better at rooting out the smallest details of a person's social life through their social media accounts. (Source: businessweek.com)

It was only last month that Facebook introduced Graph Search, a tool that can be used by members to retrieve details from the past.

Parents Concerned Over Smut, Security

Snapchat promises to limit the amount of user information it stores. Most of its users are between the ages of 13 to 25. As of December 2012 there were more than 3.4 million Snapchat users.

However, the service has come under fire in recent months. Parents have lashed out at Snapchat management because they say their children see the service as a place where transmitting inappropriate messages and images has no consequences.

While those behind Snapchat admit that sending such information is possible, they are quick to point out the benefits of their service.

"You can't build a business off sexting," said Evan Spiegel, one of the app's developers. "It is such a specific-use case. This is about much more than that." (Source: nytimes.com)

Another area of concern is the security of the app; a fear further fueled by Snapchat's denial of responsibility for the content present on their service.

As Spiegel continued, "We are not advertising ourselves as a secure platform. It's a communication platform. It is not our job to police the world."