Snapchat has always embraced AI, from launching its own AI chatbot to implementing real-time augmented reality effects using generative AI. Most of the features are fun and harmless. However, the My Selfie feature automatically signs up to use My Selfie data in marketing materials.
The My Selfie feature tells you what it’s for during setup, but it’s pretty easy to skip it and continue on with the process. The screen explaining the feature doesn’t appear until you’ve already taken a selfie and provided another image to Snapchat. 404 Media found an instance where someone’s likeness was used in an ad on Reddit.
“Your selfies will be used to power Generative AI, Cameos, and other experiences that feature you on Snapchat, including ads,” the warning reads. “By tapping Agree & Continue, you agree to the My Selfies Terms and give Snap and your friends permission to use your likeness and your selfies on Snapchat,” the statement is repeated on Snap’s support website.
A Snap spokesperson confirmed to CNET that while the company reserves the right to use My Selfie data for advertising in the future, it doesn’t currently do so.
Read more: We tried out Snap’s new standalone AR glasses that implement mixed reality, AI, and work outdoors.
“Advertisers do not have access to any amount of Snapchatters’ My Selfie data, including My Selfies,” a Snap spokesperson said in an email. “They also do not have access to Snapchatters’ personal data, Memories, which allows us to create AI-generated images of individual Snapchatters.”
A spokesperson said Snap investigated the Reddit story and that the advertiser in question “has previously run ads on Snapchat, and we do not believe the ads in question violate our policies.”
Snap encourages users to report ads that use their likeness without their permission.
You can stop Snapchat from using your selfie data for advertising with just a few simple steps.
You can prevent Snapchat from using your selfie data for ads with a few simple steps. This setting is turned on by default, probably because you have to agree to the terms when you first set up your selfie. Here’s how to turn it off:
- Open Snapchat on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the top left.
- Tap the gear wheel in the upper right corner.
- Scroll down My selfie Click and tap Settings.
- Uncheck the box that says: See my selfie in the ad.
You can also use this menu section to manage your selfie data in other ways, including preventing people from using your selfie data on Cameo and AI Snap. For added privacy, you can also set your selfie data to be available to your friends, best friends, yourself, or customize who can use it specifically. If you don’t want to use this feature, you can also delete it from that menu.