“For example, if you store something in Memories, we will keep it as long as you need it, but when you Chat with a friend, our systems are designed to delete Chats you send within 24 hours after your friend reads it (unless you've changed your default settings or decide to save it).”
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 deletion commitment is qualified by design intent rather than a guarantee, and two user-controlled exceptions mean deletion is not automatic in all cases.
Interpretive note: The clause says systems are 'designed to delete,' which is a design intent rather than an unqualified promise of deletion. This distinction is noted but not inserted into reader-facing prose.
Your Chats may be retained beyond 24 hours if you or your friend have changed default settings or saved the message; the deletion is a design intent, not an unconditional guarantee.
How other platforms handle this
We may retain some of your Data even after you cease to use our Services, for instance if the Data is necessary to meet our legal obligations, such as tax and accounting requirements.
Those posts and profile information may remain on such sites even after you delete your account.
We may continue to retain some information even after you delete your account if we are required to do so in order to comply with applicable laws.
"For example, if you store something in Memories, we will keep it as long as you need it, but when you Chat with a friend, our systems are designed to delete Chats you send within 24 hours after your friend reads it (unless you've changed your default settings or decide to save it).Excerpt from Snapchat's Privacy Policy
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The deletion commitment is qualified by design intent rather than a guarantee, and two user-controlled exceptions mean deletion is not automatic in all cases.
Your Chats may be retained beyond 24 hours if you or your friend have changed default settings or saved the message; the deletion is a design intent, not an unconditional guarantee.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 267 platforms. See the full comparison.
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