Many Snapchat users have been heading online to vent their frustrations at the app's latest addition - an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot. Some have even gone as far to say they are considering deleting the app due to the introduction of the 'My AI' feature, which is powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT.
The AI chatbot was first rolled out in February this year, only to users who were paying a £3.99 per month subscription for Snapchat Plus. Since then it has been made available to all users - but many have been left unhappy by the new service.
The 'experimental and friendly' chatbot is designed to act as a personal sidekick for every user, the app says. Snapchatters can interact with it by striking up a conversation and asking it various questions; from coming up with ideas for fun activates to try out or suggestions on what to eat for dinner, and more.
A statement on Snapchat's official website adds: "In a chat conversation, My AI can answer a burning trivia question, offer advice on the perfect gift for your BFF's birthday, help plan a hiking trip for a long weekend or suggest what to make for dinner... All the content shared with My AI is stored until you delete it."
Despite the app's intentions of implementing the chatbot as a helpful tool, many users have been put off by it, with some deciding to uninstall the social media platform altogether. On Twitter, MattH12002 posted: "I'm gonna uninstall Snapchat and delete this AI whilst I'm at it."
Slamlam420 demanded: "Snapchat you got one month to let me delete the AI or I’m deleting my account. Up to you!" EmKingg wrote: "Literally going to delete @Snapchat if that AI thing doesn’t die."
Tweeting1980 added: "Hey @Snapchat and @snapchatsupport I DONT want your AI. I can’t clear it and it’s just automatically at the top. I want the freedom to delete it." 3AM__MO admitted: "One AI Chatbot just message me on Snapchat. I never delete an app so quick." Hollylavonn typed: "The forced ai thing makes me want to delete Snapchat tbh lol."
Meanwhile, others have been complaining they can't unpin My AI from the top of their chat list unless they pay to subscribe to Snapchat Plus. Morenoticeable asked: "Why can’t you delete the AI off of your snap chat? Dumb feature."
BlendRamaa penned: "Dont accept this AI it will stay pinned and cant delete it Its really annoying #SnapchatAI." Heo_Yui_ said: "Im p****d at Snapchat rn. They pinned the AI on top and want me to sub to snapchat+ to delete."
When approached for a comment, a Snapchat spokesperson told us: “As we’ve been rolling out My AI, the vast majority of people with early access have been enjoying playing with it — sending millions of chat messages per day to learn more about movies, sports, pets, and the world around them. We’ve appreciated the early feedback from our passionate community as we continue to improve the experience.”
At the time My AI was announced by Snap Inc - the company that owns Snapchat - the organisation said: 'We're excited to announce that we're rolling out My AI to the entire Snapchat community for free, along with a bunch of brand new features,' said Evan Spiegel, founder and CEO. We can't wait to see how our community embraces My AI."
For users who want to remove My AI, the only way to do this is by being a Snapchat Plus subscriber. Snapchat Plus launched last year with six exclusive features, such as 'Rewatch Indicator'.
How can you delete your data on Snapchat?
According to the app, users can delete content sent to My AI in their chat within 24 hours. They can also delete past content shared with My AI by following these steps:
- Tap your Profile icon and go to Settings
- Scroll down to "Privacy Controls"
- Tap 'Clear Data'
- Tap 'Clear My AI Data' and confirm
Or
- Tap your Profile icon and go to Settings
- Scroll down to "Account Actions"
- Tap 'Clear My AI Data,' and confirm
What data is shared with AI, and how is it used?
Snapchat says: "Content shared with My AI, including your location if you've shared that with Snapchat, will be used by My AI to provide relevant and useful responses to your requests, including nearby place recommendations. Your data may also be used by Snap to improve Snap's product and personalize your experience, including ads."
Snapchat has been approached for comment.
