We spoke with a Snapchat representative about the specifics of how Snap Map works. Here are details we learned that arent communicated through Snapchats video and Snap Map walkthrough:
- If you are choosing to share your location on the Map, your location is updated every time the Snapchat app is opened.
- If a Snapchatter chooses to share their location with all of their friends on Snapchat, the app will remind them of that choice periodically to make sure they are still comfortable with this.
- Only mutual friends can see each other on the Map.
- Snapchat will delete precise location data after a short period of time. (This period of time was not specified.) Some more general location data may be retained a little longer (this time was also not specified), but the company says that is also subject to regular deletion.
- If you tap on your friend, you will see when their location was updated (i.e., 1 hour ago, 2 hours ago). Their location reflects where they last opened Snapchat.
- A friends location will remain on the Map for up to 8 hours if they do not open the app again, causing location to update. If more than 8 hours has passed and a Snapchatter has not opened the app, their location will disappear from the Map entirely.
If you want to disable Snap Map, select Ghost Mode upon Snapchats initial walkthrough. If its already enabled, tap the settings gear in the top right while viewing Snap Map, and select Ghost Mode from there.
