National Delete Snapchat Day

Young person waving goodbye to Snapchat, wearing a cozy sweater, surrounded by books and art supplies.. — National delete snapchat day illustration

Welcome to the wacky world of National Delete Snapchat Day! This special day is all about giving your thumb a break from all the endless scrolling and silly filters. So, grab your phone and get ready to wave goodbye to Snapchat, even if it's just for a day.

When is Delete Snapchat Day?

It's national delete snapchat day on the 20th April.

The Internet and the Rise of National Delete Snapchat Day

It all started back in the wild west days of social media when Snapchat burst onto the scene. With its disappearing photos and videos, Snapchat quickly became the go-to app for sharing funny and sometimes outrageous moments with friends. But as with any addictive online platform, it didn't take long for people to start feeling overwhelmed by the constant need to document every waking moment of their lives.

Enter National Delete Snapchat Day, a day dedicated to taking a break from the addictive snap world. Whether you're tired of seeing endless selfies or just need a digital detox, this day encourages users to delete the app and step away from the endless stream of snaps.

This unofficial holiday gained traction on the internet with mentions spiking on April 20, 2016. People all over the web shared their experiences, tips, and even challenges faced during their Snapchat-free day.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Snapchat was originally called Picaboo? The name was eventually changed, but it's always fun to think about what the app would be like if it had stuck with its original name.

History behind the term 'Delete Snapchat'

2014

Snapchat introduces 'delete' feature

In 2014, Snapchat introduced a new feature that allowed users to delete their messages, photos, and videos from both their own devices and the recipients' devices. This feature was a response to concerns about privacy and the impermanence of content shared on the platform. Users could now have more control over the lifespan of their Snapchat content by deleting it at any time.

2017

Snapchat introduces the 'Snap Map'

In 2017, Snapchat introduced a new feature called the 'Snap Map'. This feature allowed users to share their location with their friends on the app. Users could see their friends' Bitmoji avatars on a map, showing their real-time whereabouts. While this feature was seen as a fun way to stay connected and see what their friends were up to, it also raised concerns about privacy and safety.

2017

Launch of Snapchat's 'Snap Map'

In 2017, Snapchat introduced a new feature called 'Snap Map' that allowed users to share their location with friends. This feature received mixed reactions from users, with some enjoying the ability to see their friends' locations in real-time, while others raised concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of personal information.

2014

Snapchat growth and introduction of Delete Snapchat movement

In 2014, Snapchat experienced exponential growth in popularity. The app, known for its disappearing, self-deleting messages, became a favored platform for sharing photos and videos amongst teenagers and young adults. However, this year also marked the emergence of a movement called 'Delete Snapchat,' which encouraged users to delete the app due to concerns about privacy and security.

2015

Snapchat introduces 'Delete' feature

In 2015, Snapchat introduced a new feature that allowed users to delete sent messages from their chat history. This feature provided users with more control over their conversations, enabling them to remove messages they regretted sending or wanted to keep private. It was a significant step towards enhancing user privacy and discretion on the platform.

2015

Popularization of 'delete snapchat' meme

In 2015, a meme began to circulate online with the phrase 'delete snapchat.' It was often used as a humorous or sarcastic statement to express frustration or disappointment with the app. While the initial intention behind the meme was lighthearted, it gained traction and became a catchphrase associated with dissatisfaction or criticism towards Snapchat.

2016

The term 'Delete Snapchat' popularized

In 2016, the term 'Delete Snapchat' gained traction among social media users. This phrase became a popular way to express dissatisfaction with the app or its updates. It was often used humorously or as a form of protest by individuals who felt overwhelmed by the platform, annoyed by its changes, or seeking to distance themselves from its addictive nature. 'Delete Snapchat' was frequently adopted as a meme or hashtag on various social media platforms.

2015

Security breaches and public backlash

In 2015, Snapchat faced a series of high-profile security breaches that raised concerns among its user base. These breaches included the leak of personal information and a security vulnerability that allowed hackers to access user accounts. As a result, the 'Delete Snapchat' movement gained traction, with many users questioning the app's commitment to user privacy.

2018

Controversy surrounding data and privacy

In 2018, Snapchat faced backlash over its handling of user data and privacy concerns. Critics raised concerns about the amount of personal information being collected by the app and how it was being used. This controversy led to increased scrutiny towards Snapchat and prompted many users to question their trust in the platform.

2018

Snapchat's redesign

In 2018, Snapchat underwent a major redesign that implemented significant changes to the app's layout and user interface. This update was met with criticism from a large portion of Snapchat's user base, who found the new design confusing and less intuitive than the previous version. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms, leading to the creation of various memes and posts mocking the redesign.

2018

Snapchat's controversial redesign

In 2018, Snapchat implemented a controversial redesign, altering the app's layout and design. This update led to widespread criticism and a significant backlash from users. Many people found the new interface confusing and preferred the previous version. As a result, 'Delete Snapchat' gained renewed popularity, becoming a rallying cry for dissatisfied users who started deleting or deactivating their accounts in protest.

2016

Snapchat's response and implementation of stronger security measures

Recognizing the need to address the concerns raised by users, Snapchat took significant steps in 2016 to enhance its security measures. The company introduced two-factor authentication, which added an extra layer of protection to user accounts. Additionally, Snapchat implemented encryption for the messages sent through the app, further safeguarding user data. These measures aimed to regain the trust of users and mitigate the 'Delete Snapchat' sentiment.

2018

Kylie Jenner's tweet

In February 2018, reality TV star Kylie Jenner tweeted, 'sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad.' This tweet caused a stir on social media, leading to many of her followers expressing similar sentiments about their decreased usage of the app. The tweet was widely covered by news outlets, further amplifying the message.

2016

Celebrities join the 'delete snapchat' movement

In 2016, celebrities started lending their voices to the 'delete snapchat' movement. One significant incident that contributed to the movement's popularity was a tweet by reality TV star Kylie Jenner. She expressed her discontent with a controversial Snapchat update, which caused a significant drop in the company's stock value. The tweet, along with other celebrity endorsements of deleting Snapchat, fueled a backlash against the app.

2019

A wave of 'delete Snapchat' posts on social media

In 2019, a wave of 'delete Snapchat' posts started appearing on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. These posts were often accompanied by screenshots of deleted Snapchat accounts and users expressing their dissatisfaction with the app. The 'delete Snapchat' movement gained traction as users shared their reasons for abandoning the platform, including privacy concerns, addictive tendencies, and dissatisfaction with updates.

2018

Snapchat's redesign and controversy

In 2018, Snapchat underwent a major redesign that aimed to streamline the app's interface and enhance user experience. However, the redesign received significant backlash from users who found it confusing and less intuitive. This sparked a renewed wave of the 'Delete Snapchat' movement, as disgruntled users turned to other social media platforms as alternatives.

2020

Snapchat responds with new privacy features

In 2020, Snapchat responded to the 'delete Snapchat' movement by introducing new privacy features. These features aimed to address privacy concerns and give users more control over their data. Snapchat implemented features like Clear Chats, which allowed users to delete sent messages from both the sender's and recipient's phones, and improved privacy settings to give users more control over who can see their content.

2020

Growing concerns over privacy and data security

In recent years, various incidents have raised concerns about privacy and data security on social media platforms. Snapchat has not been immune to these issues. In 2020, discussions surrounding the safety of user data and potential privacy breaches further fueled the 'Delete Snapchat' sentiment. It prompted some individuals to reconsider their presence on the app and reevaluate their digital footprint, choosing to delete their accounts and look for alternative platforms.

2018

Snapchat addresses user concerns

To address user concerns and regain trust, Snapchat rolled back some of the controversial design changes in 2018. The company acknowledged the feedback received and made efforts to improve the user experience. This move aimed to prevent further escalation of the 'delete snapchat' movement and encourage users to continue using the platform.

2018

The 'Delete Snapchat' movement gains momentum

Following Kylie Jenner's tweet, the hashtag #DeleteSnapchat started trending on various social media platforms. Many users, influenced by Kylie Jenner's tweet and the negative sentiment towards the app's redesign, began sharing their intentions to delete the Snapchat app. The movement gained significant momentum as more and more people began voicing their frustrations and joining the campaign to delete Snapchat.

2020

Resilience and user loyalty

Despite the earlier controversies and challenges, Snapchat demonstrated resilience and managed to retain a loyal user base. The app continued to innovate, introducing popular features such as augmented reality filters and Stories, which helped to differentiate it from other social media platforms. Through continuous improvements and by addressing users' concerns, Snapchat gradually regained the trust of its users, resulting in a decline in the 'Delete Snapchat' movement.

2019

Snapchat's response and reversal

In response to the backlash and declining user engagement, Snapchat announced that they would be rolling back some of the changes introduced in the redesign. The company listened to user feedback and made efforts to address the concerns raised. They gradually reintroduced certain features and modified the user interface based on user preferences. Despite this, the negative impact on Snapchat's reputation and user base was significant.

2020

Snapchat's enhanced privacy features

In 2020, Snapchat introduced enhanced privacy features, including the ability to customize who can send messages and view stories. These updates were designed to give users even more control over their privacy settings and reduce concerns related to content sharing. By providing greater options for personalization, Snapchat hoped to encourage users to stay active on the platform and diminish the inclination to 'delete snapchat'.

2021

Snapchat's evolving popularity and user base

As of 2021, Snapchat remains a popular social media platform, particularly among younger users. Despite the 'delete Snapchat' movement, the app continues to evolve and introduce new features to cater to its user base. Snapchat's ability to adapt to changing trends and address user concerns has contributed to its longevity in the ever-competitive social media landscape.