Advertisement

Snapchat rolls out update after breach; apologizes to users

Snapchat allows users to send pictures and videos that “self-destruct” up to ten seconds after being viewed by the recipient. The app, which is one of the most popular mobile apps among teens and young adults, sees users share over 150 million photos a day. Nicole Bogart/Global News

NEW YORK – Snapchat has released an update to its disappearing-photo app following a security breach last week that exposed the phone numbers of millions of users.

And for the first time since the New Year’s breach, the company said it’s sorry.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Snapchat had promised a more secure version of its app following the breach, which allowed hackers to collect the usernames and phone numbers of 4.6 million of its users.

READ MORE: How to check if your Snapchat information was leaked

The Los Angeles startup on Thursday released an update to its Android and iPhone apps that it says “improves Find Friends functionality.” The feature, which suggests Snapchat connections based on a user’s phone contacts, was at the heart of the breach. Users can now also avoid linking their usernames with phone numbers.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: How to protect yourself from security breaches on social media sites

Sponsored content

AdChoices