A new feature on the popular App "Snapchat" is raising concerns for RCMP.

"Snap Maps" rolled out in late June, and allows users to see the exact location of who they have added as friends on the app.

Corporal Curtis Peters, RCMP Media Relations Officer for Southern Alberta, says the dangers of the new feature are obvious.

"It's pretty easy to track down an individual if you're a predator using that app, it gives you access to the exact location where people are coming, going, and what they're up to," he explains. "So potentially if you don't know who you're talking to on Snapchat that means the person you're sending those pictures to knows where you live, and can track down your home, or your work and that's a pretty big concern for users, parents, and the police."

Peters says there is a way to turn off "Snap Maps" by hiding current locations in "Ghost Mode", he says if an individual wants to keep their "Snap Maps" location active they must really consider who they're sharing information with.

"We've seen arrests made, cyber-bullying take place, and child pornography issues that have arisen from apps like Snapchat, but with this new feature it takes it to a whole new level of being able to identify a location. So if you must use it, if you're going to turn it on, also turn on your common sense and think about what you're doing."

The RCMP encourage parents to have conversations with their children on social media use and the impacts it can have.

 

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