Snapchat is not intended for children under 13, and the company states it deletes data if it discovers it has been collected from under-13 users; teenagers aged 13-17 have some additional protections but still use the full service.
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
Given Snapchat's widespread use among teenagers, the adequacy of age verification and the specific nature of 'certain restrictions' for users aged 13-17 are material to assessing whether minors' data is adequately protected under COPPA and state children's privacy laws.
Interpretive note: The specific restrictions applied to teen accounts (ages 13-17) are referenced but not fully enumerated in this provision, creating interpretive uncertainty about the scope of protections actually in place.
Teens aged 13-17 are subject to some additional privacy protections, but the policy does not fully enumerate what those restrictions are in this provision, meaning parents and guardians may not have a complete picture of how their children's data is handled.
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"Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete the information as soon as possible. Teens between 13 and 17 may use Snapchat subject to certain restrictions designed to provide additional protections.Excerpt from Snapchat's Privacy Policy
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: COPPA requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data from children under 13 in the US, enforced by the FTC.
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Given Snapchat's widespread use among teenagers, the adequacy of age verification and the specific nature of 'certain restrictions' for users aged 13-17 are material to assessing whether minors' data is adequately protected under COPPA and state children's privacy laws.
Teens aged 13-17 are subject to some additional privacy protections, but the policy does not fully enumerate what those restrictions are in this provision, meaning parents and guardians may not have a complete picture of how their children's data is handled.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 289 platforms. See the full comparison.
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