Close Menu
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI
  • Apps
  • Crypto
  • Security
  • Startups
  • TechCrunch
  • Venture

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

What's Hot

Uncork Capital in a 21-year venture cycle – and what's the difference between this?

August 26, 2025

Libby's library app adds AI discovery, but not everyone is excited

August 26, 2025

Doge uploads live copies of Social Security databases to “vulnerable” cloud servers, whistleblower says

August 26, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
TechBrunchTechBrunch
  • Home
  • AI

    OpenAI seeks to extend human lifespans with the help of longevity startups

    January 17, 2025

    Farewell to the $200 million woolly mammoth and TikTok

    January 17, 2025

    Nord Security founder launches Nexos.ai to help enterprises move AI projects from pilot to production

    January 17, 2025

    Data proves it remains difficult for startups to raise capital, even though VCs invested $75 billion in the fourth quarter

    January 16, 2025

    Apple suspends AI notification summaries for news after generating false alerts

    January 16, 2025
  • Apps

    Libby's library app adds AI discovery, but not everyone is excited

    August 26, 2025

    Google Translate accepts Duolingo with a new language learning tool

    August 26, 2025

    YouTube's “hype” feature that boosts small creators launches globally

    August 26, 2025

    Skylight's Tiktok Alternative adds community curators to the mix

    August 26, 2025

    Google Gemini AI Image Model Gets “Banana” Upgrade

    August 26, 2025
  • Crypto

    Coinbase CEO explains why he fired an engineer who didn't try AI right away

    August 22, 2025

    Your next customer is destroying the 2025 Expo floor

    August 19, 2025

    Crypto Company Gemini File for Winklevoss Twins IPO

    August 16, 2025

    North Korean spies pretending to be remote workers have invaded hundreds of businesses, CloudStrike says

    August 4, 2025

    Telegram's Crypto Wallet will be released in the US

    July 22, 2025
  • Security

    Doge uploads live copies of Social Security databases to “vulnerable” cloud servers, whistleblower says

    August 26, 2025

    Security researchers map hundreds of Teslamate servers spilling Tesla vehicle data

    August 26, 2025

    Thetruthspy phone spyware new security flaw puts victims at risk

    August 25, 2025

    Developers get prison time to disrupt the ex-employer's network with “kill switch”

    August 22, 2025

    Explain why hackers who exposed the North Korean government did that

    August 21, 2025
  • Startups

    7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

    March 24, 2025

    AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

    March 24, 2025

    20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

    March 22, 2025

    Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

    March 21, 2025

    Startup Weekly: Wiz bets paid off at M&A Rich Week

    March 21, 2025
  • TechCrunch

    OpenSea takes a long-term view with a focus on UX despite NFT sales remaining low

    February 8, 2024

    AI will save software companies' growth dreams

    February 8, 2024

    B2B and B2C are not about who buys, but how you sell

    February 5, 2024

    It's time for venture capital to break away from fast fashion

    February 3, 2024

    a16z's Chris Dixon believes it's time to focus on blockchain use cases rather than speculation

    February 2, 2024
  • Venture

    Uncork Capital in a 21-year venture cycle – and what's the difference between this?

    August 26, 2025

    A16z spends $1.49 million on lobbying in Washington, with rivals mostly going outside

    August 25, 2025

    Openai warns against SPVs and other “unauthorized” investments

    August 23, 2025

    Amazon AGI Labs Chief defends his reverse Acquihire

    August 23, 2025

    Y Combinator says Apple's App Store is hampering startup growth

    August 22, 2025
TechBrunchTechBrunch

Snapchat turns off controversial 'Solar System' feature by default after bad press

TechBrunchBy TechBrunchApril 5, 20243 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Telegram Email


Less than a week after the Wall St. Journal reported that Snapchat's feature called “Solar System” was increasing anxiety among teens, the company is making adjustments to how the feature works. I responded with The current ranking system for paid subscribers shows how close you are to your Snapchat friends by showing them their location in the solar system. For example, a friend with a Mercury position is someone you communicate with often, while a friend with a Uranus position is someone you don't get very close to.

Of course, online chats don't necessarily correlate with real-world relationships, and such features can cause hurt feelings when you realize you're not as close as you thought you were with your friends. .

Snap says its feedback is that it can make you feel good when you know you're close to someone, but it can also make you feel worse when you realize you're not as close as you thought.

“We have heard and understand that the solar system could make you feel even worse, and we want to avoid that,” the company announced in a newsroom post Friday.

But instead of removing this feature, like the dangerous and controversial speed filter that was accused of “negligent design,” Snap will simply turn off the solar system feature by default. Snapchat+ subscribers can turn on the option if they wish.

“We hope this strikes the right balance between providing features that many users want while not upsetting those who don't want to use them,” the company explains.

Turning it off by default may create some friction, but if this feature is already in demand among teens, they'll just look for a setting to turn it back on. Dew.

Snap claims that Solar System is not very popular, noting that less than 0.25% of the community uses this option. However, it is only available to paid subscribers, so no wonder the percentage is small. A more relevant statistic is how many Her Snapchat+ users have used Solar System or viewed the feature.

WSJ reports that users don't know who is closer to their friends and who is further away, but when they realize they're not number one, it can lead to tough conversations and even breakups.

Snap defends the feature by saying people want to know more about their friendships and features like Solar System provide “additional awareness and context.” But in reality, this is a way to get young people (a demographic where social class matters) hooked on using Snapchat.

The Solar System feature was just one part of Snapchat's friend ranking system. It also offers a private feature called “Best Friends,” which puts the people you contact most often at the top of your contact list, along with heart and smiley emojis, the Journal noted.

Another much-discussed feature called “Streaks” is a tool that encourages repeat use of the app by visually displaying how many consecutive days Snapchat users have contacted each other on the app. After much backlash from parents and families, lawmakers and regulators alike over the feature's addictive nature and psychological harm, Snap introduced a way to pause streaks last year. We also added a way for users to restore lost streaks.

Snap promises in a blog post that it is “committed to mitigating the potential downsides of online communications to the extent possible,” but it has intentionally built features and tools that will at least preclude lawsuits and Congressional investigations. May be exposed.



Source link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Libby's library app adds AI discovery, but not everyone is excited

August 26, 2025

Google Translate accepts Duolingo with a new language learning tool

August 26, 2025

YouTube's “hype” feature that boosts small creators launches globally

August 26, 2025

Skylight's Tiktok Alternative adds community curators to the mix

August 26, 2025

New features on Instagram help college students connect with others on campus

August 26, 2025

Google Gemini AI Image Model Gets “Banana” Upgrade

August 26, 2025

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Reviews
Editors Picks

7 days left: Founders and VCs save over $300 on all stage passes

March 24, 2025

AI chip startup Furiosaai reportedly rejecting $800 million acquisition offer from Meta

March 24, 2025

20 Hottest Open Source Startups of 2024

March 22, 2025

Andrill may build a weapons factory in the UK

March 21, 2025
About Us
About Us

Welcome to Tech Brunch, your go-to destination for cutting-edge insights, news, and analysis in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cryptocurrency, Technology, and Startups. At Tech Brunch, we are passionate about exploring the latest trends, innovations, and developments shaping the future of these dynamic industries.

Our Picks

Uncork Capital in a 21-year venture cycle – and what's the difference between this?

August 26, 2025

Libby's library app adds AI discovery, but not everyone is excited

August 26, 2025

Doge uploads live copies of Social Security databases to “vulnerable” cloud servers, whistleblower says

August 26, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news

Subscribe my Newsletter for New Posts & tips Let's stay updated!

© 2025 TechBrunch. Designed by TechBrunch.
  • Home
  • About Tech Brunch
  • Advertise with Tech Brunch
  • Contact us
  • DMCA Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.