Content submitted to public-facing features such as Spotlight, Snap Map, Public Profiles, and Lens Studio is subject to a perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license granted to Snap, its affiliates, other users, and business partners, authorizing commercial and non-commercial derivative works across all media, with no compensation owed to the user.
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
This provision establishes that once content is designated as Public Content, the license granted to Snap and its business partners is irrevocable and perpetual, meaning the license persists regardless of whether the user subsequently deletes the content or closes their account. The license expressly covers the name, image, likeness, and voice of individuals featured in Public Content, which may engage state-level right of publicity statutes depending on jurisdiction.
Interpretive note: Enforceability of the perpetual license with respect to content subsequently deleted by the user, and the scope of right of publicity protections, may vary by jurisdiction.
The updated terms state that Snapchat may now require age verification before you use the Services, expanding on prior language that only referenced minimum age requirements. The terms also revise content moderation procedures, stating that Snap's decision to restrict, suspend, or terminate accounts is made in its sole discretion, though expanded appeal and complaint procedures are now described in more detail through the Snapchat Moderation, Enforcement, and Appeals Explainer and Support Site. The terms also add references to jurisdiction-specific online platform safety laws and direct users to the Transparency Hub for information on how Snap complies with those laws where applicable. You can review appeal options and compliance procedures through the resources linked in the Terms, and you may be able to challenge account restrictions if you believe they violate applicable law in your jurisdiction.
View change record →Removal of the explicit public content license (which specifically allowed derivative works and partner use) is replaced by a broader general content license, eliminating the distinction between public and private content rights.
View full change record →Under this clause, users who post to Spotlight, Snap Map, or other public-facing features grant Snap, other users, and business partners an irrevocable and perpetual right to reproduce, distribute, and create commercial derivative works from that content, including use of their name, image, likeness, and voice, without any obligation to compensate the user.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Public Content Perpetual License and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Because Public Content is inherently public, you grant Snap, our affiliates, other users of the Services, and our business partners an unrestricted, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable, and perpetual right and license to create derivative works from, promote, exhibit, broadcast, syndicate, reproduce, distribute, synchronize, overlay graphics and auditory effects on, publicly perform, and publicly display all or any portion of your Public Content in any form and in any and all media or distribution methods, now known or later developed, for commercial and non-commercial purposes. This means, among other things, that you will not be entitled to any compensation if your content, including videos, photos, sound recordings, musical compositions, name, image, likeness, or voice included in your content are used by us, our affiliates, users of the Services, or our business partners.Excerpt from Snapchat's Terms of Service
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The inclusion of name, image, likeness, and voice within the scope of this license may engage state right of publicity statutes, including California Civil Code Section 3344 and analogous statutes in other states, …
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This provision establishes that once content is designated as Public Content, the license granted to Snap and its business partners is irrevocable and perpetual, meaning the license persists regardless of whether the user subsequently deletes the content or closes their account. The license expressly covers the name, image, likeness, and voice of individuals featured in Public Content, which may engage …
Under this clause, users who post to Spotlight, Snap Map, or other public-facing features grant Snap, other users, and business partners an irrevocable and perpetual right to reproduce, distribute, and create commercial derivative works from that content, including use of their name, image, likeness, and voice, without any obligation to compensate the user.
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