Snapchat · Snapchat Terms of Service

Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

High severity
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Why it matters

This provision substantially limits your legal options against Snapchat — arbitration is typically more favorable to corporations than courts, and class actions are the primary way consumers effectively challenge large companies over small-dollar widespread harms.

Consumer impact

Snapchat's Terms grant the company a broad, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, and distribute anything you post — including photos, videos, and messages — which persists even after you delete content in some contexts. US users waive their right to participate in class action lawsuits and must resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration, which significantly limits legal recourse. You can review and adjust your privacy and data settings within the Snapchat app under Settings > Privacy Controls to limit some forms of data use.

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.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Within 30 days
    Within 30 days of creating your account or accepting updated Terms, send a written notice to Snap Inc. stating your name, Snapchat username, and that you are opting out of arbitration. Mail to Snap Inc., 3000 31st Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over unfair or deceptive practices in consumer contracts including mandatory arbitration clauses that eliminate meaningful consumer remedies.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State Attorneys General, particularly in California and New York, have authority to challenge mandatory arbitration and class action waiver clauses in consumer contracts under state consumer protection laws.
    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 1, 2026
Last verified
April 1, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000733
Document ID
CA-D-00103
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
2f21cc726a069b22113361866904347df10dce152d863d062e80dafa8ecf8f24
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: Snapchat | Document: Snapchat Terms of Service | Record: CA-P-000733
Captured: 2026-04-01 14:23:12 UTC | SHA-256: 2f21cc726a069b22…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/snapchat/snapchat-terms-of-service/mandatory-arbitration-and-class-action-waiver/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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