What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'IN_APP', 'recipient': 'Snapchat app > Settings > Privacy Controls > Delete Account', 'difficulty': 'MODERATE', 'action_type': 'DELETE_DATA', 'instructions': "Open Snapchat, go to Settings, then Privacy Controls. You can request deletion of your account and associated data. Note that content already shared with others may remain subject to Snap's license.", 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'FTC', 'reason': 'The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data and content licensing practices under FTC Act Section 5, and has previously issued a consent order against Snap Inc. for misleading data practices.', 'complaint_url': 'https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Broad Content License clause as high severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Broad Content License — Snapchat

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What it is

When you post photos, videos, or any other content on Snapchat, you give Snap the right to use, copy, modify, and share that content — including with third-party service providers — for as long as needed to run their services.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Any photo, video, or message you post on Snapchat can be used, modified, and sublicensed by Snap to third-party service providers, and this right may persist even after you delete your account if others have already shared or interacted with your content.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Delete Your Data

Open Snapchat, go to Settings, then Privacy Controls. You can request deletion of your account and associated data. Note that content already shared with others may remain subject to Snap's license.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Broad Content License and similar clauses.

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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

This license is broad and sublicensable, meaning Snap can pass your content rights to third parties, and the license may survive account deletion if others have shared your content.

View original clause language

By posting or otherwise making available any content on or through the Services, you grant Snap a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to host, store, cache, use, display, reproduce, modify, adapt, edit, publish, analyze, transmit, and distribute that content. This license is for the purpose of operating, developing, providing, promoting, and improving the Services and researching and developing new ones. This license includes a right for Snap to make your content available to, and pass these rights along to, service providers with whom Snap has a contractual relationship related to the provision of the Services.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: This provision implicates GDPR Art. 6(1)(b) (processing necessary for contract performance) and Art. 17 (right to erasure) — the persistence of the license after deletion creates direct tension with erasure rights where the legal basis is consent or contract. For California users, CCPA §1798.100 (right to delete) is implicated. FTC Act Section 5 applies to the adequacy of disclosure of this license scope to average consumers.

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Applicable agencies

FTC

The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data and content licensing practices under FTC Act Section 5, and has previously issued a consent order against Snap Inc. for misleading data practices.
File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information

Document

Snapchat Terms of Service

Entity

Snapchat

Document last updated

March 24, 2026

Tracking information

First tracked

April 28, 2026

Last verified

April 28, 2026

Record ID

CA-P-003983

Document ID

CA-D-00103

Evidence Provenance

Source URL

https://snap.com/en-US/terms

Wayback Machine

View archived versions →

SHA-256

f926941156a952503e2f1211fadd96cd570e820a4db585304bdad744f2862fe5

Verified

✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Change verified

How to Cite

ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Snapchat | Document: Snapchat Terms of Service | Record: CA-P-003983
Captured: 2026-04-28 09:50:27 UTC | SHA-256: f926941156a95250…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/snapchat/snapchat-terms-of-service/broad-content-license/
Accessed: April 29, 2026

Classification

Severity

High

Broad Content License