Snapchat Is Asking Users To Stop Using Third-Party Apps

The knock on Snapchat of late is that it's not secure. That's a largely fair complaint about the service, which has given up plenty of data to hackers, even though it's meant as a ephemeral service that keeps nothing. Snapchat blamed third-party apps for the vulnerability, and today have taken the first steps toward securing their platform. Or at least educating users on the difference between Snapchat and a third-party app. In a bold move, Snapchat is actively asking users to stop using those off-brand apps.

Via their blog, Snapchat has noted they will begin emailing users of third-party apps, and asking them to change their passwords. Those users will also be asked to stop using apps that are "unauthorized".

If you're wondering how a Snapchat app can be "unauthorized", it's the API. Well, it's an API, at least. The fast-and-loose Snapchat had a similarly easy-to-duplicate "unofficial" API that led some Developers to reverse-engineer their own, and use it to pinch info.

SnapSaved is one of those apps believed to have stolen pics from users, and one many believe engineered their own API. Snapchat wants that kind of thing to end:

We want to prevent that from happening in our community. Starting today, we will notify Snapchatters when we have detected that they may be using third-party apps and we'll ask those Snapchatters to change their password and stop using unauthorized apps.

Speculatively, Snapchat needs to lock their app down a bit to appease an incoming monetization strategy. As advertising comes into play, partners who actually give Snapchat cash will want to know how secure they are. Though they haven't actually taken steps to stop those nefarious third-party apps from working, that could be the next step.

Source: Snapchat

Via: Android Central