Snapchat apologizes for breach, issues app update to improve security - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Snapchat apologizes for breach, issues app update to improve security

Snapchat has issued an apology and a security app update one week after hackers obtained the information for millions of users.
(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
Share via

A week after 4.6 million Snapchat users’ personal information was exposed by hackers, the company has issued an update to improve its app security and it has apologized for the incident.

“We are sorry for any problems this issue may have caused you and we really appreciate your patience and support,†the company said in a blog post Thursday morning.

The app update lets users opt out of having their personal phone numbers included in a feature called “Find Friends.†That feature was what hackers used to expose so many users one week ago.

Advertisement

PHOTOS: 10 Tech gadgets we want to see in 2014

To opt out of the feature, Snapchat said users must go into the app settings and then tap where it says “Mobile #.†In there is a setting that says “Link username to mobile #.†Users must turn that option off to opt out.

The app update and the apology may help Snapchat stem user anger about the security breach.

Advertisement

Many criticized the company about how it initially handled the breach, specifically because co-founder and Chief Executive Evan Spiegel went on the “Today†show after the incident and did not give an apology.

ALSO:

CES 2014: 3Doodler, Jamstik, our favorites from Day 2 [Video]

Advertisement

Google tests ferry service to shuttle staffers from San Francisco

Live from CES: The unofficial Las Vegas auto show [Google+ Hangout]

Advertisement