Snapchat AI Hacked: What Really Happened to Your Stories [2025 Update]
Panic swept through Snapchat’s 150 million users after rumors about its AI being hacked surfaced in August 2023. The AI chatbot’s behavior turned strange – it posted a one-second video story and became unresponsive to messages. The actual situation turned out quite different from users’ fears.
What Happened with Snapchat AI?
Snapchat users got a shock at the time they noticed something strange on August 15, 2023. The platform’s My AI chatbot had posted a story by itself. This behavior seemed impossible since the AI lacks this feature.
The strange post showed a one-second video of what appeared to be a ceiling or wall. Users thought the AI had somehow taken photos inside their homes, which sparked immediate panic.
On top of that, it stopped answering messages during the whole ordeal. Users who tried to involve the chatbot received messages stating “Sorry, I encountered a technical issue”. This combination of events led many to believe someone had hacked the system.
Users asked the AI about what happened after service came back. The chatbot’s answers didn’t add up – it claimed to post “breakfast” or “a cute puppy” in stark comparison to this evidence. Sometimes it even denied making any posts.
Snapchat responded quickly with an official statement. Their spokesperson told CNN: “My AI experienced a temporary outage that’s now resolved”. Even with this explanation, users remained skeptical. Google Trends revealed a sharp increase in “delete Snapchat” searches that day.
This event made people question AI’s limits and control. More controversies followed. The Federal Trade Commission sent a complaint about Snap to the Department of Justice in January 2025. They cited potential “risks and harms to young users” connected to the My AI chatbot.
Snapchat blamed it on a glitch, but the incident showed how AI behavior outside normal limits can create widespread fear. The company faces continued questions about My AI’s safety measures, especially when you have teenage users who represent much of Snapchat’s user base.
How Users Reacted to the Glitch
A mysterious AI story post created panic that spread like wildfire on social media platforms. People rushed to X (formerly Twitter) with alarmed posts that turned into a chaotic mix of confusion and wild theories.
“My Snapchat AI posted a random 1 second story and isn’t replying to me AND IM FREAKED OUT,” one user posted on X. Other users shared their concerns: “i think I’ve seen this film before…and i didn’t like the ending,” while another declared dramatically, “It went sentient”.
The image’s nature rattled users to their core. Several people thought the AI had somehow taken photos of their homes’ ceilings or walls. This misconception made the situation more alarming as users worried about their privacy.
The AI’s responses at the time only added to the confusion. Users who asked My AI about the situation got different answers each time. The chatbot sometimes replied with a basic “Sorry I encountered a technical issue” message.
Other times, it came up with strange explanations, calling the post a “fun way to mix things up” or a “spooky ghost prank” that was “hilarious”.
The social media platforms then became breeding grounds for wild theories:
- Users feared the AI had developed consciousness or was evolving
- Security concerns emerged about system hacks or breaches
- Data privacy worries spread quickly
- Marvel’s Ultron references popped up in jokes
People started creating memes that lightened the mood. All the same, the chaos proved serious enough that Google Trends showed a big jump in “delete Snapchat” searches that day.
The reactions weren’t all doom and gloom. One X user suggested it could be “just a marketing stunt” by Snapchat. The whole ordeal brought out deeper fears about AI technology though, as another user pointed out: “I do think it’s kind of scary that we are getting closer and closer to the time where something we create follows its own mind”.
What You Should Do If It Happens Again
Snapchat users worried about future AI glitches can take steps to protect their privacy and keep control of their accounts. Snap has confirmed the 2023 incident was just a technical outage, but knowing how to handle similar situations makes sense.
The app lets you report any AI behavior that seems off. You can press and hold the chat message, tap “Report,” describe what happened, and hit “Submit” to report inappropriate responses from My AI. Your feedback helps Snapchat make their AI system better and fix problems quickly.
Here are some key privacy measures to think over:
- Block My AI from viewing your Stories by opening Settings, tapping “View My Story,” selecting “Custom,” scrolling to the M section, and blocking “My AI”
- Delete your AI data by going to Profile → Privacy Controls → Clear Data → Clear My AI Data
- Adjust who can contact you by opening Settings → Privacy Controls → Who Can Contact Me
- Enable two-factor authentication to secure your account better
Snapchat+ subscribers ($3.99/month or $29.99/year) can remove My AI completely from their chat feed. Just press and hold on My AI in Chat, tap “Chat Settings,” and select “Clear from Chat Feed.”
Parents can limit their teen’s access to My AI through Family Center. The process is simple – find “My AI” under Recent Conversations and toggle it off.
My AI users should never share sensitive personal information with the chatbot. Snapchat’s guidelines warn against sharing health-related data or photos of people who haven’t given permission.
Safety concerns beyond AI problems? Snapchat makes it easy to report harassment, bullying, or other issues. Just press and hold the content and select “Report.”
Conclusion
Snapchat’s AI glitch sparked widespread concern among users. Understanding the incident helps ease people’s minds. Technical problems may occur, but proper safety measures protect your privacy effectively. Note that AI technology evolves constantly, so you should stay informed about security practices and control your social media presence.
FAQs
Q1. What really happened during the Snapchat AI incident in 2023?
In August 2023, Snapchat’s My AI chatbot experienced a technical glitch that caused it to post a one-second video story and temporarily stop responding to messages. This was not a hack, but rather a temporary outage that Snapchat quickly resolved.
Q2. How can I remove or disable My AI on Snapchat?
If you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber, you can remove My AI from your chat feed by pressing and holding on My AI in Chat, tapping “Chat Settings,” and selecting “Clear from Chat Feed.” Non-subscribers can block My AI from viewing their stories through Privacy Controls in the app settings.
Q3. Is Snapchat’s My AI a real person?
No, My AI is not a real person. It’s an AI-powered chatbot built using large language models like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. While it can engage in conversations and answer questions, it lacks the emotional depth and nuanced judgment of a human.
Q4. What should I do if I encounter issues with Snapchat’s AI in the future?
If you experience problems with My AI, you can report the issue directly in the app. Press and hold on the chat message, tap “Report,” explain your concern, and submit. Additionally, regularly review and adjust your privacy settings to maintain control over your account.
Q5. Are there any new features coming to Snapchat in 2025?
While specific details about future updates are not confirmed, Snapchat continues to evolve its features. Recent updates have included AI-powered lenses that enable fun and artistic additions to selfies and short videos, enhancing the user experience.