Snapchat terms and conditions are clarified after privacy fears

Snapchat is trying to clear up confusion about what happens to your snaps after they disappear.

An update to its terms and conditions triggered privacy concerns among some users.

In a new blog they write: "The snaps and chats you send your friends remain as private today as they were before the update."

Snaps are deleted from their servers (computers which store and distribute data) as soon as they're read.

The company says that means it will be impossible for them to share snaps with advertisers or business partners.

"The important point is that Snapchat is not - and never has been - stockpiling your private snaps or chats," they write.

The update was widely circulated online.

There was one term in particular which was causing concern for Snapchat users.

After reading this some people were worried that every snap they sent could be stored and republished by Snapchat without their consent.

"GUYS read the snapchat terms and conditions really carefully, I've just read them and I am going to delete snapchat!" one tweeted.

"Because of snapchat we should all read the terms and conditions for everything" another wrote.

Many used the hashtag #SnapchatChangeYourTerms to warn others that the app may be reviewing your personal pictures.

Snapchat says this was never the case, but that they need "a broad licence to use the content you create".

They use the example of snaps submitted to Live Stories, saying: "We have to be able to show those Stories around the world - and even replay them or syndicate them."

By syndicate, Snapchat is saying it can sell the rights to view these kind of snaps. The change to their terms and conditions was in part because they want to start charging for replaying some snaps.

However, the app wants to stress that you still have control over who sees your snaps and who has the right to sell them on.

"We tried to be clear that the Privacy Policy and your own privacy settings within the app could restrict the scope of that licence so that your personal communications continue to remain truly personal."

However, as Snapchat itself acknowledges, it has no control over who screenshots or saves your snaps.

Not everything that happens on Snapchat stays on Snapchat, so whether you are uploading to stories or not, it's probably best to read these tips about staying safe online.

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