Snapchat is not for children under 13, and Snap states it does not knowingly collect data from under-13 users. Users aged 13-17 receive more private default settings and restricted advertising targeting compared to adult users.
This analysis describes what Snapchat's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The provision establishes age-based compliance obligations under children's privacy regulations and structures differential privacy controls based on user age classification. This framework governs what data collection, advertising, and sharing practices apply depending on whether a user falls within the under-13, 13-17, or 18+ categories.
Interpretive note: The effectiveness and sufficiency of Snap's age verification and teen protection mechanisms cannot be assessed from the policy text alone; regulatory determinations about adequacy depend on operational implementation.
Snapchat's privacy policy now includes expanded language describing how the platform collects, processes, and shares user data. The updated policy discloses additional practices and operational procedures governing user information. Review of the specific added sentences is necessary to determine whether new data collection, retention, or sharing practices are described, or whether existing practices receive clarified disclosure.
View change record →The policy states that users under 13 are prohibited from the service and that teens aged 13-17 receive additional privacy defaults and advertising restrictions. Parents and guardians of minor users should be aware that age verification relies on user-provided information and that additional regional protections may apply under COPPA and the UK Age Appropriate Design Code.
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For individuals in the United States, please also refer to our Notice For Individuals Residing In Certain US States below and the Consumer Health Data Policy.
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"Our services are not directed to people under the age of 13, and we don't knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13. If you are under 13, please do not use the services or submit any personal information to us... For users between 13 and 17, we provide additional privacy protections, such as defaulting to more private settings and limiting certain types of advertising. We do not allow interest-based advertising targeting for users under 13 and apply additional restrictions on how we use and share personal information of users between 13 and 17.— Excerpt from Snapchat's Snapchat Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision directly engages COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), enforced by the FTC, which prohibits collection of personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. The UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code), enforced by the ICO, imposes design and default requirements for services likely to be accessed by users under 18. The DSA (Digital Services Act) in the EU imposes obligations on very large online platforms regarding minor users. FTC enforcement actions against social platforms for COPPA violations have resulted in significant penalties. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. Snap's large user base skews young, and regulators in both the US and UK have scrutinized whether Snap's age verification and default privacy settings for teens adequately satisfy legal requirements. The policy's reliance on self-reported age creates a known gap in COPPA compliance that has been a focus of FTC attention across the social media sector. JURISDICTION FLAGS: COPPA applies to US-based users under 13. The UK Age Appropriate Design Code applies to any service likely to be accessed by under-18 users in the UK. EU DSA and GDPR impose additional obligations. California's AADC (Age-Appropriate Design Code Act) has been subject to litigation but may impose additional requirements for California minor users depending on its legal status. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Schools or other institutions that may facilitate access to Snap services for minor users should assess their own obligations under FERPA and COPPA. Advertising partners receiving data through Snap's platform should confirm that data from minor users is segregated and not used for targeting. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Compliance teams should assess whether current age-gate and age-verification mechanisms meet COPPA's verifiable parental consent standard. The operational definition of 'additional restrictions' for 13-17 users should be documented and audited. UK teams should confirm compliance with the ICO's Age Appropriate Design Code default settings requirements.
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The provision establishes age-based compliance obligations under children's privacy regulations and structures differential privacy controls based on user age classification. This framework governs what data collection, advertising, and sharing practices apply depending on whether a user falls within the under-13, 13-17, or 18+ categories.
The policy states that users under 13 are prohibited from the service and that teens aged 13-17 receive additional privacy defaults and advertising restrictions. Parents and guardians of minor users should be aware that age verification relies on user-provided information and that additional regional protections may apply under COPPA and the UK Age Appropriate Design Code.
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