It's possible that nude images of yourself have been popping up on Facebook without your consent.
If that sentence sends a pang of fear into your heart at all, it's probably time to reconsider what photos you're taking, especially if you're using Snapchat.
Since Snapchat allows users to decide exactly how long a photo they send can be viewed for - anywhere from three to 10 seconds - the popular photo-taking app already has something of a reputation for "sexting," or sending scandalous photo messages. However, it turns out (perhaps unsurprisingly) that those messages don't really disappear after a few seconds after all. Anyone can simply take a screenshot of the Snapchat, immortalizing what was initially a passing moment for as long as it survives on a hard drive.
Not surprisingly, these images are already ending up on Facebook, and generally without the sender's knowledge.
That's the entire conceit of new websites such as Snapchat Leaked, which asks users to submit nude Snapchat photos that they have received to be published online, including the site's Facebook page and on Twitter. The worst part is that the sender's consent is never even asked for, meaning that if you've sent a raunchy photo to your boyfriend/girlfriend/random stranger they can forward the image to Snapchat Leaked without your approval.
According to Britain's Metro tabloid, the Snapchat Leaked page gathered over 534,000 Facebook likes in less than a day after it launched.
Of course, Facebook has already suspended the page on its network. As the Huffington Post notes, though, numerous copycat sites have already cropped up in its place.
"Facebook has unpublished our page due to users using the page to 'bully' others," Snapchat Leaked said to Metro. "We are working with Facebook on this issue."
"All images are user submitted, if the person asks to take them down we do. Most see it as fun and getting 'Facebook famous.'"
With the age of wearable technology (Google Glass, smartwatches, etc.) slowly but surely inching closer, many have pointed out that we may be facing some serious privacy concerns going forward. That is likely to be true, but it's easy to forget that current technology also poses its fair share of privacy loopholes. Tread lightly, and keep your pants on.
