Snapchat is clamping down on third-party apps, threatens to lock accounts

November 17, 2014

Snapchat has a had a rough few weeks in terms of security. People's photos were allegedly stolen and posted online recently through the use of a third-party apps. Those apps used reversed-engineered APIs to access the service, which creates a significant vulnerability in account security.

Now, the company appears to be taking a hardline against the practice by sending out emails to those who have been utilizing third-party apps.

We've gotten numerous tips from people receiving emails from the company asking the user to stop using third-party Snapchat apps:

"We've noticed that you're using a third-party application to access Snapchat, putting yourself (and possibly your friends) at risk. Please change your password and stop using third-party applications when you access Snapchat.

The email then directs users to snapchat.com/locked for more information, which reveals the consequences for not heeding their warning:

"If you do not stop using third-party applications, your account may be permanently locked."

For what it is worth, Snapchat has said they will develop a public API to avoid such security breaches in the future. However, there is no ETA on when that API development will be completed.

For now, users will evidently have to stop using third-party apps or risk having their accounts permanently locked.

Source: Snapchat Blog; via: Windows Central Forums; Thanks, Elias, and others, for the tips!