40% of Recorded Child Grooming Crimes: "Snapchat" Imposes New Restrictions on the Platform

Snapchat has begun implementing new measures in the UK to protect minors, including disabling the automatic friend suggestion feature for users under 18, following pressure from Ofcom, which considered the step overdue.

Snapchat has started implementing new measures in the UK to protect children and teenagers, including disabling the automatic friend suggestion feature for users under 18. The measure aims to reduce the chances of strangers discovering minors' accounts, especially those who may use fake identities or pose as minors. The British communications regulator Ofcom announced on Friday, November 6, that the platform began implementation after sustained pressure from the regulator. Oliver Griffith, director of online safety at Ofcom, said the changes are an important step but came too late, stressing that protecting children from sexual grooming is not optional for tech companies. He noted that the regulator will monitor the completion of the restrictions' implementation during November.