Snapchat · Snapchat Terms of Service

In-App Purchases & Virtual Currency

Medium severity
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What it is

When you buy Snap Tokens or other in-app items, you're paying for a limited, revocable license — not ownership — and Snap does not offer refunds except where the law requires it.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

If you purchase Snap Tokens and your account is suspended or terminated by Snap — which the Terms allow for any or no reason — you may permanently lose the monetary value of those unspent tokens with no right to a refund under US law.

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.
  • Dispute a Fee
    Within 14 days
    If you believe you are entitled to a refund for in-app purchases under applicable law (particularly EU/UK users within 14 days), contact Snap Support through the app under Settings > Support > I Need Help. EU/UK users may also request refunds through the relevant app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store).

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle In-App Purchases & Virtual Currency and similar clauses.

Compare across platforms →
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Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

Money spent on Snap Tokens has no real-world monetary value, cannot be transferred or refunded in most cases, and Snap can revoke your access to these virtual items at any time, meaning you could lose money paid without recourse.

View original clause language
Snap may offer you the ability to purchase a limited, personal, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to use special features of the Services, such as Snap Tokens or other virtual items. Any balance of Snap Tokens or other virtual items does not reflect any stored value. Virtual items and other digital content are not redeemable for any sum of money or monetary value from Snap at any time. All sales of virtual items are final, and Snap does not offer refunds for any purchased virtual items or Snap Tokens, except where required by applicable law.

Institutional analysis (Compliance & legal intelligence)

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Virtual currency and in-app purchase terms engage FTC Act Section 5 (unfair/deceptive practices in digital goods), ROSCA (Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act) 15 U.S.C. §8401, and state consumer protection laws. EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU) Art. 9 provides a 14-day withdrawal right for digital content purchases unless performance has begun with consent. UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 similarly apply. California Business & Professions Code §17200 (UCL) applies to refund practices.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority over unfair or deceptive digital goods and virtual currency practices under FTC Act Section 5 and has taken significant enforcement action against in-app purchase practices.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State Attorneys General can investigate no-refund policies for revocable virtual items under state consumer protection statutes, particularly California UCL and similar laws.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Snapchat Terms of Service
Entity
Snapchat
Document last updated
April 29, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
April 28, 2026
Last verified
April 28, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003989
Document ID
CA-D-00103
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
f926941156a952503e2f1211fadd96cd570e820a4db585304bdad744f2862fe5
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Snapchat | Document: Snapchat Terms of Service | Record: CA-P-003989
Captured: 2026-04-28 09:50:27 UTC | SHA-256: f926941156a95250…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/snapchat/snapchat-terms-of-service/in-app-purchases-virtual-currency/
Accessed: May 2, 2026
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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