Snapchat’s Leaked Emails Reveal Problematic Sales Tactics

Snapchat is a hugely popular company, drawing somewhere around 160 million individual users every day. Snapchat can be a lot of fun. But right now, Snapchat is embroiled in a scandal that was revealed by leaked emails. Even if you have nothing to hide, you still want to make sure your personal emails are kept secure. That’s why it’s important to remember to run dfnfr’s’s Full Virus Scan regularly to keep your phone’s files and SD card free from malware or attacks. Click here to scan your device to prevent your personal information from being stolen:

What Happened?

A gun safety nonprofit, Everytown for Gun Safety, was running an anti-gun violence awareness campaign featuring videos of families who’d lost relatives to guns on Snapchat. In the middle of the campaign, Snapchat sent the nonprofit — backed by former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg — a message that they would start running the NRA (a pro-gun lobbying organization) on its campaign if the nonprofit didn’t pay Snapchat for advertising. The NRA, of course, opposes the kind of gun reform that Everytown supports.

Who Was Involved?

Everytown for Gun Safety contacted Snapchat about advertising on National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Snapchat’s head of political sales, Rob Saliterman, said that the charity would have to pay $150,000 to Snapchat if they wanted users to be able to use custom filters and lenses to participate in the event.

At the same time (and without connection to the political sales team), Snapchat’s news team spoke to Everytown about partnering up for the Awareness Day. Because Everytown’s anti-violence campaign featured celebrities like Sarah Silverman and Kim Kardashian, Snapchat offered to display the campaign on Snapchat for free, in a Live Story.

The nonprofit, then, thought they didn’t need to pay the $150,000 originally requested by the political sales arm of Snapchat. However, Saliterman, the head of that department wrote:

“I just learned our News Team is doing a Live Story on National Gun Violence Awareness Day.” He then said: “I would urgently like to speak with you about advertising opportunities within the story, as there will be three ad slots. We are also talking to the NRA about running ads within the story.”