Snapchat Steps Up Fight Against Fentanyl and Illicit Drugs
Snapchat is actively working to remove drug-related content from its platform, particularly content related to fentanyl. This effort is crucial given the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses in the U.S., with synthetic opioids like fentanyl now the leading cause of overdose deaths, according to the CDC.
Snapchat acknowledges the seriousness of the issue and its commitment to user safety.
At Snap, the safety of our community is paramount. We are deeply committed to removing content associated with the spread of illicit pills and powders that may be laced with fentanyl, and proactively educating the Snapchat community about the dangers of fentanyl.
In 2024, Snapchat achieved significant milestones in its fight against drug content:
- Removed over 2.4 million pieces of drug-related content.
- Disabled 516,000 accounts for drug-related violations and blocked associated devices.
- Proactively detected over 90% of illicit drug activity, removing it before user exposure or reports.
These efforts are comparable to those of other social media platforms. For example, Facebook also removed 2.4 million drug-related posts in Q4 2024. While Facebook has a larger user base, the relative enforcement efforts are similar.
Snapchat is working with fewer resources than larger platforms yet maintains a strong focus on combating drug dealing. The company collaborates with law enforcement and drug prevention organizations to share insights and coordinate efforts.
An Ongoing Challenge
The fight against online drug dealing is an ongoing challenge. Drug dealers constantly adapt their tactics to avoid detection, changing terminology, accounts, and devices. Snapchat recognizes this and is committed to evolving its detection processes to stay ahead of these shifts.
Snapchat's continued focus and evolving strategies are essential in addressing this critical issue and protecting its users.
