Can Background Investigators Look At Your Snapchat History

The Investigator's Guide to Social Media introduces popular social media platforms and how information shared on these platforms can benefit investigators. In this installment, we'll be discussing why one should be investigating Snapchat.

What is Snapchat?

Launched in September of 2011, Snapchat s a mobile native app that allows users to share letters, photos, and videos securely. On one level, Snapchat offers its users more privacy than Instagram – a like social media platform that Facebook owns. Notwithstanding, the abundance of information makes it a valuable resource for conducting social media investigations.

How does Snapchat piece of work?

The principal appeal of Snapchat is twofold. Its content, known equally snaps, is designed to self-destruct after 24 hours. 2nd, many older adults are clueless about how Snapchat works, which makes it especially appealing to teens and users in their 20s and early 30s. According to developers, the temporary nature of Snapchat messages allows users to concentrate on creativity versus capturing long-lasting memories.

The temporary nature of Snapchat messages provides a potential benefit to investigators because users are ofttimes lulled into a false sense of security, leading them to overshare. The pull a fast one on for investigators is to capture snaps and obtain the information contained within them before they disappear.

Snapchat Terminology

Similar other social media platforms, Snapchat has its ain terminology. Below is a list of some of the most common terminology associated with the platform.

Snaps – Photos or videos taken and shared with other users Recipients can view a snap for one to 10 seconds before it disappears forever unless they take a screenshot of the snap.
Snapback – A snapback is a reply to a snap. This term is no longer used very much.
Stories – A series of snaps that tin exist viewed an unlimited number of times within 24 hours. Senders can save individual snaps or entire stories to their Memories permanently.
Snapcode – Similar to a QR lawmaking, Snapcodes makes it easy for users to share their profiles with friends on other social media platforms.
Chat – This feature allows users to direct bulletin other Snapchatters by swiping from left to right on the Camera screen. Users tin besides employ the chat function for live video calls and ship money.
Memories – Memories are photos or videos that are saved to a user'southward account and/or mobile device. Memories can exist reposted as a story or shared again with specific users.
Lenses – Video effects applied to users' faces through the Camera screen
3D World Lenses – Video furnishings practical to surround included in snaps or inside stories.
Filters and Geofilters – Filters employ overlays to snaps such every bit unlike colors, the time or local weather. Geofilters are similar, simply are limited to specific events or locations
Snapcash – Snapcash allows users to transfer money to ane another through chat with a connected debit card.
Discover — Used past brands and publishers such as CNN or Buzzfeed.
Snap Map – allows users to ringlet around a map to locate nearby friends, who are represented by Bitmoji.

Who uses Snapchat?

Snapchat users surpassed Twitter in 2016, with 150 million daily active users (DAU). As of 2020, the DAU grew to 249 million. In North America alone, Snapchat has more than than 100 1000000 DAU. The platform is popular with younger users, reaching 75% of Millennials and Gen Z. In fact, 75% of all xiii- to 34-year-olds in the United States utilize Snapchat.

Distribution of Snapchat Users by Historic period

Investigator's Guide to Snapchat - Graph illustrating the distribution of Snapchat users by age. — Demographic information courtesy of Statista.

What is shared on Snapchat?

Snapchat is useful for viewing an individual's activities within the by 24-hours. The messages, photos and videos shared by Snapchatters are potentially a valuable resource for investigators as they develop the subject'south lifestyle patterns. Users also provide Snapchat with their contact list of phone numbers, access to their text letters, contents to their phones USB storage and their precise locations.

Snapchat does not integrate or plug in to While Snapchat doesn't integrate or plug in to other social media platforms, users oft include Snapcodes or usernames within their Twitter or Facebook profiles.

How does one search Snapchat?

Investigators can apply the mobile app to search for any given private by phone number, username, or Snapcode. If users are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, investigators can rail them that way. However, considering Snapchat is strictly a mobile app, it is NOT accessible past reckoner unless the reckoner is running an Android or iOS emulator.

Without interacting with the subject, SMI'south analysts tin can identify username(due south), telephone number(s), and any public snaps from the final 24-hours. Positively identifying the possessor of an account could lead to the courtroom-ordered release of additional content. Also, knowing a field of study's username tin can aid investigation of other social media platforms.

Should you be investigating Snapchat?

Investigating Snapchat could potentially aid an investigation, specially if the subject is less than 35 years old. With more than than 10 billion daily video views, there is the potential to uncover information useful to an investigation.

That said, investigating subjects through Snapchat can exist a claiming for a layperson, or even investigators who are not mobile-savvy. Additionally, without a courtroom order, investigators simply accept access to recently shared content which is publicly available. For these reasons, nosotros strongly suggest that investigators consult a subject matter skilful before seeking evidence on Snapchat.

Desire more data about SMI's social media investigation or preservation products? Delight contact us or call (888) 299-9921 and one of our representatives volition gladly assist you.