Snapchat apologizes for breach, issues app update to improve security

A week after 4.6 million Snapchat users’ personal information was exposed by hackers, the company has issued an update to improve its app security and it has apologized for the incident.

“We are sorry for any problems this issue may have caused you and we really appreciate your patience and support,” the company said in a blog post Thursday morning.

The app update lets users opt out of having their personal phone numbers included in a feature called “Find Friends.” That feature was what hackers used to expose so many users one week ago.

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To opt out of the feature, Snapchat said users must go into the app settings and then tap where it says “Mobile #.” In there is a setting that says “Link username to mobile #.” Users must turn that option off to opt out.

The app update and the apology may help Snapchat stem user anger about the security breach.

Many criticized the company about how it initially handled the breach, specifically because co-founder and Chief Executive Evan Spiegel went on the “Today” show after the incident and did not give an apology.

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