Snapchat Disables UK 'Find Friends' Feature for Minors Amid Regulatory Pressure
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The platform is updating default settings for users under 18 as Ofcom threatens significant fines for non-compliance.
Snapchat is implementing a change in the United Kingdom that sets its "Find Friends" tool to off by default for users under the age of 18, as first reported by Engadget. The feature utilizes user data—including location, age, and existing followers—to facilitate connections. While Snap describes the tool as a way to prioritize safety for trusted real-life connections, the UK's online safety watchdog, Ofcom, has previously claimed the company failed to sufficiently protect minors.
Oliver Griffiths, director for Ofcom's Online Safety Group, described the update as a "long overdue" improvement in child online safety and stated the agency will hold the company accountable for completing the rollout this month. Griffiths further noted that Snap is expected to implement "highly effective age checks" by the end of this year.
The move comes as Ofcom warns that tech companies failing to improve protections for younger users will face enforcement actions. The regulatory authority possesses the power to levy fines of up to 18 million pounds or 10 percent of a company's qualifying worldwide revenue.
These changes arrive during a period of heightened scrutiny for the platform. Engadget reports that the European Union has launched a formal investigation into Snap regarding potential violations of the Digital Services Act, specifically concerning the protection of younger users. Additionally, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously announced plans to ban social media use for those under 16 in the UK.