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Snapchat has deployed two factor authentication as part of its push to increase security across the popular selfie slinging app. The sexting swap shop allows users to set up SMS log-in verification that makes en-masse account hijacking more difficult, and better protects Snapchat's Snapcash money transfer system. The additional security measures are welcome, but devoted targeted attackers can still break into accounts by exploiting telecommunications providers' weak security identity checks to port phone numbers. Users of Snapchat version 9.9 will be able to activate the Login Verification feature on Android and iOS platforms. The extra security features are the latest efforts in a push to increase the platform's security chops which includes the launch of a HackerOne bug bounty, a regular transparency report, and the hiring of former Google social network security boss Jad Boutros as infosec head. Boutros has already said he aimsto build a "culture of security" at the company. The push follows Snapchat's legal trouble with the Federal Trade Commission stemming from incorrect claims photos and videos would "disappear forever" when it had remained on devices. The company also ran into trouble when some 4.6 million names and email addresses were breached in December 2013 after it dismissed that attack vector as theoretical. Source

Snapchat, the social network known for its disappearing messages, released its first transparency report Thursday showing hundreds of requests from US and foreign law enforcement agencies. Between November 1 and February 28, Snapchat said it received 375 requests from US law enforcement officials, and produced at least some data in 92 percent of those cases. "While the vast majority of Snapchatters use Snapchat for fun, it's important that law enforcement is able to investigate illegal activity," Snapchat said in a blog post. "We want to be clear that we comply with valid legal requests." The requests were mostly in the form of subpoenas, warrants or court orders, along with a smaller number of emergency requests. Outside the US, Snapchat received 28 requests and produced data in six of those cases. The requests came from Britain, Belgium, France, Canada, Ireland, Hungary and Norway. Snapchat joins other major tech firms that have released similar data including Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft. Like most of its peers, Snapchat said it opposed efforts to give law enforcement special access through "backdoors." "Privacy and security are core values here at Snapchat and we strongly oppose any initiative that would deliberately weaken the security of our systems," the blog posting said. "We're committed to keeping your data secure and we will update this report bi-annually." The report did not include data on US national security requests, which may only be released after a six-month delay. "Even though Snapchat has promoted user privacy and autonomy since its founding, we've only recently been able to systematically track and report requests for user information," the company said. It said it will publish more details in July on government requests and demands to remove content. Snapchat last year reportedly rejected a $3-billion takeover by Facebook and later was valued at some $10 billion following a private equity round of investment. Snapchat has not disclosed key financial information or numbers of users but some analysts say it is used by as many as 100 million people or more. Snapchat rocketed to popularity, especially among teens, after the initial app was released in September 2011. Created by then Stanford University students, the app allows the sending of messages that disappear shortly after being viewed. Sursa: Snapchat Shows Data Requests in Transparency Report | SecurityWeek.Com