People will no longer be able to message you anonymously from other apps using a Snapchat integration. Instead, you can only be messaged by users whose identities you can see.

That's because Snapchat is banning anonymous messaging from third-party apps. But why is this the case?

Snapchat Bans Anonymous Messaging From Third-Party Apps

Photo of a phone with the Snapchat logo showing

Snapchat has banned anonymous messaging features from third-party apps that are linked to its platform. The ban was announced in a Snapchat blog post, which read:

Today we are announcing several changes to our developer platform that we believe are in the best interest of our community, and further aligned with our focus of supporting communications that reflect real-life friendships.

Going forward, third-party apps will no longer be able to use a Snapchat integration to let users communicate, unless those users have "registered and visible usernames and identities".

Although you can make your Snapchat posts private, the company is making changes to further limit unwanted contact from people.

Why Is Snapchat Banning Anonymous Messaging From Third-Party Apps?

anonymous person using a phone with face hidden
Image Credit: Artem Oleshko/Shutterstock
 

Snaphat is banning anonymous messaging from third-party apps as a means to limit bullying and harassment on its platform.

This comes after a lawsuit sought to hold Snapchat liable for the death of a teen that was bullied on some of these apps, in particular, Yolo and LMK.

At the time, Snapchat responded by suspending the apps from Snap Kit and conducting a review of its standards and policies. Snapchat's ban on anonymous messaging from third-party apps is the result of that review.

As explained in a Snapchat blog post:

We will prohibit apps that facilitate anonymous messaging from integrating with our platform. During our review, we determined that even with safeguards in place, anonymous apps pose risks for abuse that are impossible to mitigate at an acceptable level.

Snapchat says it believes that this is what's best for its community as some people might use anonymity to engage in harmful behavior, such as bullying and harassment. Cyberbullying is one of several negative effects of social media on users.

Snapchat Is Limiting Bullying and Harassment on Its Platform

Bullying and harassment are one of the many downsides of using social media. Considering how harmful that can be, especially on younger users, it is important that social media platforms implement measures to limit such instances from happening.

And although it is difficult to completely limit bullying and harassment online, Snapchat's commitment to monitoring and reviewing its policies to ensure that its community is safe is a step in the right direction.