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Snapchat hack secretly saves images using app | Snapchat hack secretly saves images using app |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An app that discreetly saves images and videos sent through "self-destruct" messaging service Snapchat has been created. | An app that discreetly saves images and videos sent through "self-destruct" messaging service Snapchat has been created. |
Snapchat rose to popularity as an app that allows people to share pictures, safe in the knowledge they would delete themselves after being viewed. | Snapchat rose to popularity as an app that allows people to share pictures, safe in the knowledge they would delete themselves after being viewed. |
However, Snaphack circumvents this system, allowing recipients to pass on or upload images to social media. | |
Snapchat could not be reached for comment on the app. | Snapchat could not be reached for comment on the app. |
However, the company's terms of service state that it does not allow the development of "any third-party applications that interact with user content or the services without our prior written consent". | However, the company's terms of service state that it does not allow the development of "any third-party applications that interact with user content or the services without our prior written consent". |
Snaphack was made by UK-based developer Darren Jones, who told the BBC: "Snapchat has not been in touch and I imagine it's only a matter of time until they request that my app is removed. | Snaphack was made by UK-based developer Darren Jones, who told the BBC: "Snapchat has not been in touch and I imagine it's only a matter of time until they request that my app is removed. |
"But my app just proves and informs people that these apps exist and people need to be careful." | "But my app just proves and informs people that these apps exist and people need to be careful." |
Previous methods of saving or retrieving Snapchat images and video have been publicised. In August, another app known as Snap Save was distributed - but users found that if they saved an image it would inform the sender they had done so. | Previous methods of saving or retrieving Snapchat images and video have been publicised. In August, another app known as Snap Save was distributed - but users found that if they saved an image it would inform the sender they had done so. |
Snaphack gives no such warning. | Snaphack gives no such warning. |
The app is available through Apple's App Store. Apple is yet to comment on the issue. | The app is available through Apple's App Store. Apple is yet to comment on the issue. |
Rapid growth | Rapid growth |
Although it is not marketed as such by the company, Snapchat has gained a reputation as a system for so-called "sexting", due to the app's countdown timer that renders the picture inaccessible after a few seconds. | Although it is not marketed as such by the company, Snapchat has gained a reputation as a system for so-called "sexting", due to the app's countdown timer that renders the picture inaccessible after a few seconds. |
First released in 2011, the app has rapidly grown to be worth - according to one estimate - around $860m (£540m), but like many social media start-ups it has yet to turn a profit. | First released in 2011, the app has rapidly grown to be worth - according to one estimate - around $860m (£540m), but like many social media start-ups it has yet to turn a profit. |
Concerns over privacy have followed the app's success closely. In May, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission. | Concerns over privacy have followed the app's success closely. In May, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission. |
"Snapchat is the app that promises to delete photos but it doesn't," said Marc Rotenberg, EPIC's executive director. | "Snapchat is the app that promises to delete photos but it doesn't," said Marc Rotenberg, EPIC's executive director. |
"We have no problem with apps that make photos vanish. But they should work as promised, and if they don't the Federal Trade Commission should investigate." | "We have no problem with apps that make photos vanish. But they should work as promised, and if they don't the Federal Trade Commission should investigate." |
In response, Snapchat brushed off the claims - acknowledging that an image could easily be saved by simply taking a screenshot on the phone, or by photographing the screen with another device. | In response, Snapchat brushed off the claims - acknowledging that an image could easily be saved by simply taking a screenshot on the phone, or by photographing the screen with another device. |
Since then the company has regularly used its blog to outline its practices for storing images. | Since then the company has regularly used its blog to outline its practices for storing images. |
'Private images' | 'Private images' |
Other image retrieval methods relied on special software to reverse-engineer Snapchat's system - but Snaphack's simplicity and automation raised serious issues, argued one expert. | Other image retrieval methods relied on special software to reverse-engineer Snapchat's system - but Snaphack's simplicity and automation raised serious issues, argued one expert. |
"It absolutely undermines the security of Snapchat," said Rik Ferguson, vice president of security research at Trend Micro. | "It absolutely undermines the security of Snapchat," said Rik Ferguson, vice president of security research at Trend Micro. |
"If the fact that your photo has a limited lifetime is the one thing that gives you the comfort to send it, this news should put you off." | "If the fact that your photo has a limited lifetime is the one thing that gives you the comfort to send it, this news should put you off." |
Developer Mr Jones told the BBC he was introduced to Snapchat just three weeks ago - and said he designed the app to raise awareness that such sharing is possible. | Developer Mr Jones told the BBC he was introduced to Snapchat just three weeks ago - and said he designed the app to raise awareness that such sharing is possible. |
"For months people have been sending private images without knowing it has been possible to do this kind of thing with them with other apps," he told the BBC. | "For months people have been sending private images without knowing it has been possible to do this kind of thing with them with other apps," he told the BBC. |
"The ideal response from Snapchat will be to put a system in place to stop people being able to save images in this way or any other." | "The ideal response from Snapchat will be to put a system in place to stop people being able to save images in this way or any other." |
Mr Ferguson added: "Snapchat advertises its service as being in the moment - but really the best advice is not to get lost in the moment. | Mr Ferguson added: "Snapchat advertises its service as being in the moment - but really the best advice is not to get lost in the moment. |
"Please, every single time, take a deep breath, and don't press that button." | "Please, every single time, take a deep breath, and don't press that button." |
Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC. | Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC. |
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