Snapchat source code leaked, published on GitHub

An iOS update in May exposed some of Snap Inc.'s source code.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter

Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.

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Abrar Al-Heeti

Aug. 7, 2018 1:36 p.m. PT

Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., said Tuesday that an iOS update exposed some of its source code earlier this year. That code was archived on GitHub before the company asked the site to remove the data, according to Motherboard.

"An iOS update in May exposed a small amount of our source code and we were able to identify the mistake and rectify it immediately," a Snap representative told CNET. "We discovered that some of this code had been posted online and it has been subsequently removed. This did not compromise our application and had no impact on our community."

A request posted Friday to GitHub says, "we would appreciate you take down the whole thing." The individual who sent the request said, "I am [redacted] at Snap Inc., owner of the leaked source code."

One portion of the requests asks: "What would be the best solution for the alleged infringement? Are there specific changes the other person can make other than removal?" to which the individual responded, "No, this should be removed because it is all leaked source code."

The request was reportedly enforced by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a US copyright law. Still, Motherboard notes, it looks like some people are trading the data privately.

First published Aug. 7, 1:36 p.m. PT.
Update, 2:41 p.m. PT: Adds comment from Snap.