You receive a Snap and open it, knowing it will disappear after the image’s timer expires or you close it out. You reply with that same level of impermanence for your message. Afterall, this is one of the focal features on Snapchat. And besides, if the recipient were to save or screenshot your content, you would be alerted. But what happens when bad actors find workarounds to discretely save your Snaps? Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of Snapleaks.
What are Snapleaks?
As the name implies, Snapleaks are disclosures of private information obtained through the use of Snapchat. Oftentimes, the leaked data consists of intimate images that are sent or saved on the platform. The perceived ephemeral nature of Snapchat leads users to record and share this content with lower inhibition. However, as you will come to learn, Snaps don’t always expire with their timers.
How are Snapleaks Acquired?
Leaked Snapchat content can be collected in many ways. The perpetrator could simply take a screenshot of your content, but you would at least be notified. In other cases, Snaps have been leaked by taking a photo of the screen from another device to work around the notification. These are two of the more obvious ways that Snapleaks occur, but others include the following.
- Third-Party Apps. There are many third-party applications that can supposedly enhance your Snapchat experience. Such features include recording and saving Snapchats without detection, which can lead to Snapleaks. Additionally, these apps can have security mishaps and even be designed with malicious intent.
- Credential Theft. There are numerous ways a cybercriminal could steal your credentials. They can use brute force attacks, employ hacking tactics, or even buy them on the dark web. However they manage to do it — if they can access your account, they can leak your Snaps.
- Data Breaches. We mentioned that criminals can buy personal data online, but you’re probably wondering how it gets there. Intel from data breaches is often shared on dark web marketplaces between criminals. Sometimes these credentials are sold, but in other instances, they are easily available and free of charge.
- Social Engineering. Some criminals don’t work to steal Snapleak material. Instead, they focus their efforts on coercing the victim to divulge it. This is done through tactics like catfishing and emotional manipulation. They appeal to the victim to win their trust before flipping the script.
- NCII Abuse. We often think of perpetrators as someone halfway across the world, attacking from behind a screen. And while this is often true, Snapleaks can also come from much closer. Former partners who were once trusted can turn around and leak intimate content after a breakup. This is a practice known as nonconsensual intimate image abuse (NCII), or “revenge porn.”
Where are Snapleaks Commonly Shared?
If you believe your Snapchat content has been leaked, it’s important to know where to look. Search engines like Google and Bing allow users to request that certain pages be de-indexed from results if they violate terms of use. However, you will need the URL to the page to be able to complete this request. The following are some of the most common places to share Snapleaks.
- Social Media. Any social network that allows you to share images or videos (so, pretty much all of them) can be used to leak Snaps. Some perpetrators don’t even leave the platform. Instead, they leak the content on Snapchat.
- Adult Websites. These types of sites are attractive for those looking to house Snapleaks. Due to their nature, worries of post being taken down due to content violations are lessened compared to other sites.
- Dark Web Marketplaces. Perpetrators may look to sell stolen content to others on the dark web. These dumps may be purchased for personal, nefarious use or to perpetuate further abuse toward the victim.
- User-Created Sites. Many Snapleaks are posted to websites that are set up by the perpetrator. These pages may be listed temporarily or left up until they are taken down. A simple search of “Snapleaks” will bring up numerous sites like this. These sites may also be compromising to visitors on top of the initial victims.
Real-World Snapleak Cases
To better prepare for the future, it’s important to look back at the past. By looking back at previous Snapleaks, we can better understand how they work, and which factors allow them to happen.
Snapchat’s Struggles to Secure User Data
Snapchat has had its share of shortcomings in protecting the personal information of its user base. At the end of 2013, a hacking group was able to exploit a vulnerability in Snapchat’s security system. The result was the publication of the personal data of 4.6 million users, including usernames and telephone numbers.
Less than a year later, Snapchat users were again victims of a data breach. However, this one was not the fault of Snap Inc. Instead, a third-party snap saver called “SnapSaved” was to blame. The application, which allowed users to discretely save expiring Snaps, was hacked and the saved Snaps of over 200,000 users were extracted. Snapchat was quick to wash their hands of blame and remind users that these third-party programs violate their terms of use.
Although Snapchat wasn’t directly responsible, experts still warned that the existence of such third-party programs was troubling.
“The mere fact that apps exist that have essentially reverse engineered Snapchat API means that the technology is vulnerable,” said Robert Siciliano, an Online Security Expert from McAfee. “Additionally, anyone that understands the very basics of how a mobile phone works recognizes a simple screenshot, it captures any photo forever.”
Then in 2019, reports surfaced that claimed Snapchat employees were misusing access to user data for spying purposes. Unlike breaches, this was a deliberate decision by Snap employees to violate user security. The tool, named “SnapLion”, was initially designed to gather data pertaining to law enforcement requests. However, a lack of safeguards and proper logging allegedly allowed employees to access user data they shouldn’t have.
Oregon Man Indicted for Selling Stolen Snaps
Devon J. Patel gained unauthorized access to the Snapchat accounts of at least three dozen victims, some of whom were minors. The 26-year-old used this access to steal saved Snaps and sell them to others online.
A three-year investigation began in November 2022 when an Oregon State University student filed a report with the Washington County Sherriff’s Office. Her report came after intimate content stored on her Snapchat account was “stolen, sold, and distributed without her consent.”
After a lengthy investigation that included nine search warrants, authorities were able to search and seize Patel’s electronic devices. This gave them the evidence to connect Patel to the crime, understand how he did it, and uncover that he’d been distributing the content.
Patel faced a Lane County grand jury on February 28th, 2025. He was indicted on multiple charges, including five counts of computer crimes and three counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse. Investigators believe there could still be additional victims.
What to Do if Your Intimate Snaps Get Leaked
If you know or believe you’ve been the victim of a Snapleak, it’s important to act fast. Once something’s on the internet, it’s hard to control. Content can be downloaded and reshared, even when it’s initially shared on impermanent platforms like Snapchat.
Removing the leaked content quickly limits its exposure and lowers the chances of resharing. Our experts suggest you take the following approach.
- Document Evidence. Take screen shots of any posts that contain your leaked Snapchat content. Include the platform link, profile, and any accounts that reshared the post if that data is available. It’s important to note that take down services may require you to disclose the content, but online platforms and law enforcement will not require this.
- Report the Snapleak. Start by reporting the Snapleak to Snapchat as well as the platform housing the content. You should also notify your local police and the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center. You should also utilize Take It Down or StopNCII to have a hash assigned to your content that helps platforms identify and remove it.
- Perform a Reverse Image Search. If you are unsure if your Snapchat content has been leaked, you can perform a reverse image search. This allows you to find search results that contain images that match your content closely. This is also helpful when trying to find links to request be de-indexed.
- Consider Professional Cyber Investigators. These experts have experience and access to technology that is inaccessible to the general public. They can help you find any instances of exposure, discover the perpetrator responsible, and improve your security against similar attacks in the future.
And if you ever fall victim to a Snapleak, the team at Digital Forensics Corp. is here to help. You can contact one of our specialists any time to regain control and secure your Snaps.
