Snapchat Shares Update on Its Social Good Initiatives

Snapchat has published its latest “CitizenSnap” report, which provides an overview of all the social good initiatives being undertaken by the company, and how it’s progressing towards its stated goals on each element.

The report aims to highlight the positive impact of the app, which many have also tagged as a key cause of angst and disruption among teen users. Which Snap would prefer to frame as social connection, and aside from this, the company is also undertaking various environmental and inclusion initiatives to ensure its overall corporate impact is more positive.

There’s also this explainer:

“Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.”

Hey, since when did Snap start calling itself a “technology company”? Snap has long labeled itself a “camera” company, which it started doing back in 2016, when it launched the first version of Spectacles.

But now, it’s a “technology” company?

I mean, that’s probably more accurate, but it also seems relevant as it continues to develop its AR Spectacles.

Maybe it has less faith in that becoming a key shift than it once did.

But that’s an aside, Snap’s 57-page “CitizenSnap” report includes a full overview of Snap’s various initiatives designed to help people and the environment, including in-app safety options and its guiding principles for responsible design.

The report covers all aspects of Snap’s social good initiatives, including:

• In-app resources to educate Snap users about online risks
• Civic engagement initiatives, including encouraging Snap users to vote
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts related to its business
• Diversity in hiring
• Diversity in management
• Philanthropy projects

There’s also in-depth overviews of Snap’s climate action plan, and how the company is progressing towards its goals on this front:

And even its tax strategy:

The final section of the report provides more specific data breakdowns on each element, ensuring accountability for the reporting that it’s provided.

It’s a good overview of Snap’s various social good initiatives, and how the company is progressing, on various fronts, in contributing to key causes and elements.

Which, again, is important for broader framing, but it is also indicative of the commitments that Snap has made, and how it’s evolving as a responsible business.

You can download Snap’s 2024 CitizenSnap report here.