Since bursting onto the social media scene in 2011, Snapchat has remained exceptionally popular, especially with young people. However, over the past few years, Snapchat has faced escalating criticism regarding its privacy practices, security protections, and potential mental health consequences.
As public awareness grows about these issues, more Snapchat users are considering deleting their accounts entirely.
According to Snapchat’s latest transparency report for 2022, approximately 574,000 accounts are permanently deleted each day. And that number continues rising.
So if you no longer feel comfortable or safe using Snapchat, how do you go about removing it from your life forever?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to permanently delete your Snapchat account, from exporting your data to understanding what personal information Snapchat retains even after you’re gone.
Why People Are Deleting Snapchat in 2023
Here are the most common reasons Snapchat users decide to delete their accounts:
Privacy and Data Concerns
Snapchat has repeatedly made headlines for questionable data handling policies. For example:
- In 2021, Snapchat settled with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for $187,500 for illegally collecting location data from 13 million users over the course of three years without their consent.
- According to a 2022 study by Cybernews, over 4.6 million Snapchat user records were being sold on the dark web, containing sensitive personal information like email addresses, phone numbers, locations and more.
- Snapchat’s privacy policy states they can share any data they collect with their vast array of corporate partners, advertisers and subsidiaries without repercussions.
With privacy and personal data protection becoming a rising issue worldwide, it‘s no wonder 86% of Americans report feeling they‘ve lost control over how personal information is collected and used by social media companies, according to a 2022 Pew Research consumer survey. This helps explain the surge in Snapchat account deletions.
Mental Health and Addiction Worries
Extensive research over the past decade has revealed spending excessive time on social media can lead to depressed mood, anxiety, body dysmorphia, sleep disturbances and added stress – especially among teens and young adults.
Specifically, Snapchat’s focus on photo messaging and filters that alter users’ appearance have been found to negatively impact self-esteem and trigger self-conscious emotions.
Additionally, Snapchat’s built-in “Snapstreak” feature rewards users who snap friends every 24 hours with little emoji badges. If a streak is ended, users feel deeply disappointed.
This encourages addictive checking behaviors. Approximately 59% of Snapchat users themselves report feeling somewhat or very addicted to the app.
If you believe Snapchat is taking a toll on your mental health or overall wellbeing, deleting your account could be a wise move.
Security Fears After High-Profile Hacks
Being the victim of a social media hack can have devastating emotional, personal and professional consequences.
Unfortunately, Snapchat accounts have proven vulnerable over the years. For example, in late 2022 a security researcher under the alias "Juca" published details on how he hacked 25,000 Snapchat accounts in just one week by exploiting flaws in Snapchat’s phone number verification process during signup.
Other common Snapchat hacking techniques cybercriminals leverage include:
- Sim swapping attacks
- Phishing emails and texts containing malware
- Brute-force attacks trying endless password combinations
Once your account is compromised, hackers can publicly post videos or images without your consent or leverage your private communications and photos for extortion.
Understandably, many Snapchat users opt to delete their accounts permanently rather than live with constant fear about their security and privacy being destroyed by criminals.
Step 1: Download Your Snapchat Data
Before deleting your Snapchat account, most users choose to create an archive of their Snapchat memories and data to keep for personal records or nostalgic reasons.
Here is the process to export and download your Snapchat data:
On Mobile
- Open the Snapchat app then tap on your profile icon
- Tap the settings gear icon
- Scroll down and select “My Data”
- Enter your account password if prompted
- Tap “Submit Request” under “Download My Data”
On Desktop
- Go to accounts.snapchat.com and log into your account
- Click on “My Data”
- Click “Submit Request under “Download My Data”
It can take up to 24 hours for Snapchat to aggregate all your account history and content into a Zip file they will email to you when ready. The amount of data depends on your usage but is often multiple gigabytes.
The downloaded Zip file may contain:
- Your snaps and stories
- Chat logs and interactions
- Memories and archives
- Associated media like photos saved to your camera roll
- Geofilters you created
- Billing statements if you made in-app purchases
- Analytics like ads you tapped and usage statistics
Save this Zip file in a protected folder as a backup before moving forward to delete your account.
Step 2: Deleting Your Snapchat Account
Once your Snapchat data is secured, here are the steps to permanently delete your Snapchat account:
On iPhone
- Open Snapchat app and tap your profile picture
- Tap the Gear icon to access settings
- Scroll down and select “Delete Account”
- Tap “Continue” then enter account password to confirm
On Android or Web
- Go to accounts.snapchat.com
- Log into your Snapchat account
- Scroll down and click “Delete My Account”
- Verify your details again then tap “Continue”
Once you hit “Continue”, your account deletion will be initiated.
But this does not remove all your personal data right away. Here‘s why:
Snapchat gives users a 30-day window to cancel their account deletion if they change their mind.
You‘ll remain logged out during this period. After 30 days, all your Snaps, Chats, Stories, Memories and other personal data are permanently erased from Snapchat’s systems.
Reactivating Within 30 Days
If you log back into Snapchat anytime in the first 30 days after beginning deletion, you can fully restore your account.
Follow the normal Snapchat login process with your existing username and password. All your friends, messages, groups and memories will reappear.
However, after 30 days elapse from when you first requested account deletion, there is no way to retrieve your deleted Snapchat account.
Even if you create a brand new account with the same username, your previous history and data are gone for good from Snapchat’s databases.
Personal Data Snapchat Retains Post-Deletion
According to Snapchat’s privacy policy updated January 2023, the company states it will retain some user data after accounts are deleted due to legal requirements and internal analytics.
Types of personal data Snapchat may store include:
- Basic account info like your name, email address, phone number and birthday
- Support inquiries or interactions with Snapchat ads
- Device specifications, mobile carrier information and usage logs
- Public social media posts you created that others potentially saved or re-shared
Additionally, since Snapchat photos and videos often get saved to camera rolls or cloud storage, copies could remain in recipients’ devices or backups after your account disappears.
So while almost all private or sensitive information is erased in the deletion process, traces of your personal info may persist. You have limited control of this however.
Tips To Boost Post-Deletion Security
To minimize lingering vulnerabilities even after your Snapchat account is removed, here are some extra precautions experts recommend:
🔒 Delete Snapchat photos/videos saved to cloud storage or cameras rolls
🔒 Review all social media privacy settings
🔒 Change passwords on all accounts using recycled Snapchat credentials
🔒 Submit takedown requests for any copied public Snapchat posts
🔒 Enable two-factor authentication where possible on key accounts
Undertaking these extra steps reduces potential risks going forward now that you‘ve cut ties with Snapchat.
Weighing Snapchat Deletion Pros vs Cons
Deleting your Snapchat account is ultimately a personal decision. Depending on your specific situation, retaining or removing your account may be right for you.
Here is an overview of potential pros and cons to consider when making this choice:
Pros
- Increased privacy and control over personal data
- Reduce mental health issues or addiction triggers
- Boosted account security
- More focus, productivity and improved sleep
- Encourages real-world social interactions
Cons
- Lose touch with certain friends or groups
- Can’t access special memories or nostalgic content
- FOMO (fear of missing out) on events & trends
- Less intimacy and connection with some friends
- Don‘t get to watch Stories anymore
Take time to reflect deeply on your personal reasons for deleting Snapchat when weighing these potential upsides and downsides.
Snapchat‘s History and Growth Over Time
Understanding Snapchat’s explosive history lends helpful context around why privacy, mental health and security controversies plague the now massively popular app:
👉 2011 – 3 Stanford classmates launch ephemeral photo messaging app “Picaboo” which gets renamed Snapchat
👉 2012 – Pioneering “Stories” feature introduced, engagement skyrockets
👉 2014 – Geofilters and Snapcash virtual payments arrive
👉 2015 – Major new capabilities like lenses, replays, and snapcodes
👉 2017 – Rebrands as Snap Inc. and goes public, share price surges
👉 2022 – Over 375 million global daily active users reported
Across its first decade, Snapchat experienced meteoric growth through constant innovation and aligning with youth culture.
But the breakneck pace of feature additions without prioritizing user privacy and safety has clearly come back to haunt them.
As Snapchat enters maturity, expect ongoing departures of disillusioned long-time users through account deletions.
FAQs: Additional Snapchat Account Deletion Questions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about removing Snapchat permanently from your life:
Is deactivating the same as fully deleting my account?
No, deactivation just hides your account temporarily. Only by requesting account deletion will Snapchat permanently erase all personal data after 30 days.
What exactly happens when I deactivate my Snapchat account?
Deactivating makes your account enter a dormant state for up to 30 days where your profile disappears from search results and friends can’t view your content. You also lose access to Snaps until reactivating your account by logging back in.
Can I reverse my choice after submitting the account deletion request?
Yes, for 30 days you can cancel your deletion request simply by logging back into Snapchat with your username and password. All account history and friends will reappear as normal.
However, after 30 full days your request cannot be undone. All account details and personal data are removed from Snapchat’s internal databases permanently.
Why does Snapchat force me to wait 30 full days before deleting everything?
The 1-month waiting period gives users a change to undo accidental deletion requests or simply change their mind. For Snapchat, it may also allow them additional opportunities to backup or transfer certain parts of your data during this intermediary period.
What Snapchat data specifically gets erased after the 30 day deletion period?
Absolutely everything from your Snaps, Chat logs, Stories, friend lists, groups, search history, purchase receipts, and other personal account activity and details. Essentially, after 30 days there will be zero record left of either your usage or behavior within Snapchat.
I‘m under 18, can I delete my Snapchat account without parental approval?
Yes. Snapchat legally allows any registered user of any age to delete their own account independently without requiring parental permission. The mandatory 30-day waiting period gives those under 18 an opportunity to reconsider their choice before data is erased.
I suspect my account got hacked. What should I do?
Immediately delete your account then alert Snapchat Support about the intrusion. Also change passwords on any other account sharing credentials with Snapchat. Be vigilant about protecting all personal data moving forward. Don‘t reactivate your Snapchat account to prevent further harm.
Is Snapchat safe for people over 30?
It depends on your usage, privacy settings and susceptibility. In moderation, most adults can manage Snapchat reasonably safely by being vigilant. However, if you have lax privacy settings or experience frequent location tracking, advertising targeting, security alerts or unwanted content, deleting Snapchat may be your best option.
Final Thoughts
I hope this definitive, 2500+ word guide answered all your questions about how to permanently delete your Snapchat account in 2023 due to privacy concerns, mental health worries or general disenchantment.
Remember, once begun, the account deletion process cannot be reversed or undone after 30 full days. So make sure you’ve downloaded any memories or data beforehand that you want to keep.
While Snapchat still enjoys immense popularity globally, especially with young demographics, the platform‘s mounting controversies around personal data handling, security protections and potential harms have driven many longtime devotees like you to cut ties for good through account deletion.
Did this help guide your decision making? Let me know if you have any other Snapchat questions! Just trying to help people thoughtfully reflect on what’s best for their individual health, safety and wellbeing when considering removing Snapchat from their digital lives forever.
