Snapchat Leak: What’s at Risk & How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve ever shared a snap, a selfie, or a private message on Snapchat, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most widely used platforms for casual, real-time communication, especially among younger audiences. But what happens when that data, often assumed to disappear, leaks into the wrong hands?

Despite positioning itself as a privacy-first platform with disappearing messages and encrypted chats, Snapchat has been no stranger to data breaches and leaks. From internal misuse of tools by employees to third-party services quietly saving private content, Snapchat has seen its fair share of privacy incidents.

Your Bitmoji might vanish after 10 seconds, but your personal data may not—in most cases, it ends up on the dark web. In this blog, we’ll walk through Snapchat’s most notable data breaches, what they mean for your privacy, and how to stay ahead if your information ever ends up in the hands of someone it shouldn’t.

Snapchat Leaks: A Brief History

While Snapchat promises privacy by design, a few key incidents over the years have shown just how easily that promise can break. Here’s what users have faced:

Leak exposed 4.6 million Snapchat users (2013) 

A database with usernames and phone numbers of 4.6 million Snapchat users was leaked online by a group called SnapchatDB. The data was scraped using a vulnerability in Snapchat’s “Find Friends” feature, which the company had been warned about weeks earlier by security researchers. While no passwords were exposed, the leak sparked heavy criticism about Snapchat’s approach to security.

Third-party app exposed private Snaps (2014)

Snapchat users were blindsided when nearly 200,000 private photos and videos—totaling 13GB—were leaked online in 2014. The media wasn’t stolen from Snapchat itself but from third-party apps like Snapsaved.com, which tricked users into logging in and then stored their Snaps on unsecured servers. Snapchat had warned against using unofficial apps, but didn’t do much to prevent it.

Insider abuse of SnapLion tool (2019) 

In 2019, internal misuse of Snapchat’s powerful data access tool, SnapLion, raised serious alarm. The tool, originally designed for law enforcement requests, allowed employees to view private user data like saved Snaps, location history, and contact information. According to multiple reports, some staffers exploited this access for personal reasons without proper oversight or justification.

The Impact of Data Leaks on Snapchat Users

When Snapchat user data is exposed, the consequences can go far beyond just losing access to an account:

Identity theft 

When Snapchat leaks expose phone numbers, usernames, or linked email addresses, attackers can combine that data with information from other breaches to commit identity theft. This can involve opening accounts in someone else’s name, applying for loans, or creating fake online profiles. Many users don’t realize their identity has been stolen until they face rejected applications, suspicious credit activity, or legal notices for actions they didn’t take. 

Account hijacking 

Breached login credentials can allow attackers to take full control of Snapchat accounts. Once inside, they may change passwords, lock users out, and impersonate them by sending fake messages or Snaps. In some cases, hijackers dig through saved chats or archived media, accessing content that was never meant to be shared. Recovery often requires reaching out to Snapchat support, sometimes without success. 

Exposure of private content 

Snapchat’s core feature (disappearing Snaps) can’t protect users if their content is stored by third-party apps or accessed by someone inside the company. In major incidents like The Snappening, users had private photos and videos leaked publicly, even though they believed the content would vanish. The impact ranged from embarrassment to long-term psychological stress, especially for young users whose images were shared without consent. 

Harassment and blackmail 

Leaked Snaps don’t always end at public exposure because they’re often used by bad guys as leverage. Some users have received threatening messages demanding payment, more personal content, or silence. Others have been doxxed or targeted online after their private moments were exposed. The trauma of being harassed or extorted using your own photos can leave a lasting emotional toll. 

Targeted scams and impersonation 

When personal info is leaked, scammers take advantage by mimicking Snapchat contacts or even Snapchat support. Using familiar names and avatars, they send messages designed to trick users into sharing credentials or clicking malicious links. Teens and less tech-savvy users are often targeted first, believing they’re chatting with friends, when they’re actually giving attackers full access.

What Should You Do If Your Data Is Exposed in a Breach?

If your Snapchat data has been exposed in a breach, acting quickly can help you limit the damage. These are the steps you should take:

Change your Snapchat password immediately 

Start by updating your Snapchat password and any other account where you’ve used the same one. Reused credentials are a common entry point for attackers. Choose a strong, unique password that isn’t based on personal info like your birthday or pet’s name, and consider using a password manager to keep track of it. 

Turn on two-factor authentication

2FA adds an extra step to your login process, usually a code sent to your phone or generated through an app. Even if someone gets your password, they won’t be able to access your account without that second factor. Snapchat supports 2FA, and enabling it is one of the easiest ways to block unauthorized access. 

Review recent activity on your account 

If you think your data has been compromised, check your Snapchat account for any suspicious activity. Look for messages you didn’t send, contacts you didn’t add, or changes to your settings. If anything looks off, report it to Snapchat and reset your password again just to be safe. 

Be cautious with messages and links 

After a breach, attackers may try to trick you with phishing messages—sometimes pretending to be Snapchat support or one of your contacts. Be wary of links asking you to “verify your account” or “reset your password.” Don’t click anything suspicious, and never share verification codes with anyone. 

Monitor other accounts tied to your Snapchat 

If your phone number or email was exposed, keep an eye on other platforms that use the same credentials. You might see login attempts or password reset requests elsewhere. It’s a good idea to update your security settings on those platforms too, especially if they share the same recovery email or number.

How PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring Can Help You?

After a data breach, your information can end up on dark web forums—often without your knowledge. Hackers may trade or sell your Snapchat login, email, or phone number weeks or even months after the initial leak. PureVPN’s Dark Web Monitoring gives you a way to spot that threat early, so you can take action before the damage spreads. 

The feature scans dark web marketplaces, breach repositories, and leak databases for traces of your personal information. If your data is found, you’ll get an instant alert with details on what was exposed, where it appeared, and how severe the risk is. Here’s how to set it up: 

1. Open the PureVPN app on your device. 

2. Go to the Dark Web Monitoring section from the main dashboard. 

3. Tap Add Assets to Monitor and enter details you want tracked—like your email, phone number, or credit card number. 

4. You’ll receive a verification code via email or SMS. Enter it to confirm you own the asset. 

1. Once verified, background scanning begins automatically and you’ll be notified in real time if your data appears in any breach.

Frequently Asked Questions