Snapchat begins making Find Friends opt-in for UK users under 18

Technology · First reported 6 Nov, 13:06 · Updated 13:31

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Snapchat has begun turning off its Find Friends feature by default for users under 18 in the UK. Ofcom says it will monitor the rollout this month; Snapchat has also told the regulator that age checks for under-18s should be in place by year-end.

Snapchat is rolling out a change that turns off Find Friends by default for UK users under 18. The feature helps users discover and add contacts.
Ofcom says the change should make it harder for strangers to contact children and will monitor the rollout this month.
Snapchat told Ofcom that effective age checks for users under 18 should be in place by the end of the year.
Ofcom said non-compliant companies could face fines of up to 10 per cent of qualifying global revenue; one report also gives a maximum of £18 million.
Ofcom reported that Snapchat was used by 32 per cent of British children aged 8 to 12, below the platform’s stated minimum age of 13.

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Key facts

Change: Find Friends is being turned off by default for UK users under 18.
Rollout: Ofcom says it will monitor the rollout this month.
Age checks: Snapchat told Ofcom effective checks for under-18s should be in place by year-end.
Ofcom usage figure: 32 per cent of British children aged 8 to 12 used Snapchat, according to Ofcom.
Possible penalty: Up to 10 per cent of qualifying global revenue; Engadget also reports a maximum of £18 million.