MP raises Snap Map safety concerns with government

The MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, has questioned the government on the child safety and privacy concerns surrounding the new Map feature on Snapchat.

The interactive map, recently introduced to the social media app, allows users to see in real time the exact location of other users.

Videos can also be viewed if the user's privacy settings are not secure enough.

There are fears the feature could be used by online predators to target children, by burglars to identify when people are away from home, and anyone else seeking to exploit victims.

Anna submitted three questions to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to see what, if any, action the government are taking to address these concerns:

• If she will make an assessment of the child protection implications of the Snap Map service available to users of Snapchat; and if she will take steps to ensure that children and vulnerable people who use that service have their location data protected from unofficial third parties

• What recent discussions she has had with the Information Commissioner's Office on the data protection and privacy implications of the Snap Map feature available to users of the Snapchat service.

• If she will make representations to Snap Inc. about the data protection and privacy implications of the Snap Map feature available to users of the Snapchat service.

In reply, the Minister of State said:

Ms Turley said it needs to be raised directly with the developer Snapchat too: