Snapchat has gained immense popularity among Gen Z due to its captivating AR filters and other features, attracting millions of users. However, the platform has come under scrutiny for certain features, particularly one that raised significant concerns among users. Snapchat has taken the decision to disable its "Solar System" feature, which may sound innocuous at first but is actually tied to revealing the location of other users. This raised numerous red flags regarding user privacy and safety. So, what exactly is this potentially dangerous Snapchat feature, how was it used, and what implications does it have for Snapchat users? Here's everything we currently understand about it.
What Is Snapchat Solar System Feature?
The solar system feature on Snapchat enables users to track the location of their friends and contacts, indicating proximity through planets like Mars and Uranus, among others. For example, if someone is nearby, Snapchat will display them with Mars or Venus icons, signifying their closeness to your location. Conversely, if someone is far away, their icon will be associated with Uranus. This feature is exclusive to Snapchat+ subscribers, accessible in numerous countries.
What Was The Issue?
Reports suggest that anxiety among teens in the US has been linked to the Snapchat feature, prompting the platform to step in and modify the feature to address these concerns. Following these reports, the paid feature has been deactivated by default, allowing users the option to enable it at their discretion.
Notably, Snapchat has chosen not to remove the feature entirely, although its deactivation may not fully satisfy users, particularly parents of affected teens. The platform aims to strike a balance between users who appreciate the feature and those who do not. Additionally, Snapchat indicates that only a small percentage of its paid subscribers utilize the feature, implying that there's no immediate plan to eliminate it entirely.