Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel is making the media rounds, and he has a lot to say. In recent long-form interviews, including a two-and-a-half-hour chat on Steven Bartlett’s “Diary of a CEO” podcast, Spiegel shared his thoughts on everything from social media competition to AI and AR development. But it’s his comments on Meta, TikTok, and content moderation that are turning heads.
Snapchat’s Identity: A Different Approach to Social Media
Snapchat’s design has always been a little different. Spiegel reflected on how the app was created during his time studying in Cape Town and how its camera-first approach was intentional. Unlike Instagram and TikTok, which emphasize likes and public validation, Snapchat opens directly to the camera, removing some of the social pressure found on other platforms.
Spiegel claims this design philosophy has had a measurable impact on users’ mental health. He cites independent studies from the Netherlands and Australia comparing Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. According to these reports, Snapchat was the only platform with no negative mental health effects.
“One of the things that’s incredibly irritating,” Spiegel added, “is [Meta] repurposes our inventions to make products that make people feel unhappy and bad about themselves.”
The claim is bold. Snapchat has faced its own scrutiny, particularly regarding bullying and sextortion, which thrive on the platform’s disappearing messages. But compared to the algorithm-driven engagement tactics of Instagram and TikTok, Snapchat remains an outlier.
Content Moderation and Free Speech: The Snap Philosophy
Spiegel also took on the increasingly contentious debate around free speech and content moderation. He dismissed the idea that private companies are obligated to allow all forms of speech on their platforms.
“This whole notion of censorship doesn’t apply to private businesses,” he said. “They actually have a First Amendment right to decide what content is on their platform.”
His argument aligns with Snapchat’s policies, which ban explicit content from its public spaces. However, critics point out that the app still facilitates the exchange of controversial material in private messages. But for Spiegel, the ability to set internal rules is what differentiates platforms like Snapchat from Elon Musk’s “anything goes” approach on X (formerly Twitter).
The Meta Effect: A Survival Strategy or Opportunism?
Spiegel didn’t hold back when discussing Meta’s shifting stance on content moderation. He suggested that Mark Zuckerberg’s platform changes its policies depending on who’s in the White House.
“What’s really interesting about [Meta’s] choices is what they’ve tended to do is follow the political winds,” Spiegel noted. “When Biden was president, they did a lot of very proactive content moderation… and now it seems like this new administration has a different approach.”
It’s a sharp observation. Meta’s policies have shifted over the years, often aligning with broader political trends. But Spiegel’s remarks also come across as pointed jabs, reflecting the long-standing rivalry between Snapchat and its much larger competitor.
TikTok: The Addictive Rival
Spiegel also turned his attention to TikTok, a platform that has reshaped social media engagement. But he had a blunt take on its addictive nature.
“I don’t use TikTok myself,” he admitted. “From what I hear, it’s like crack cocaine for people, that they’re just on there for like three or four hours a day scrolling mindlessly.”
While the comment may seem exaggerated, the criticism echoes growing concerns about TikTok’s ability to hook users with its algorithm. With potential regulatory crackdowns looming, TikTok remains a wild card in the social media space. But for Spiegel, Snapchat’s more personal and ephemeral design is a safer, healthier alternative.
The Battle for AR Supremacy
Despite the social media wars, Spiegel remains confident in Snapchat’s role as an AR innovator. The platform has pioneered augmented reality with its Lenses and filters, and Spiegel believes this gives Snap a competitive edge against Meta and Apple.
“We have hundreds of millions of people using [Snapchat’s] AR experiences on their phones,” Spiegel said. “We have hundreds of thousands of developers making these AR experiences. When you have that very complicated technology, it’s hard to copy.”
The claim is partly true. Snap’s AR tools have been widely adopted, with developers creating over four million Lenses. But Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are gaining traction, and Apple’s Vision Pro headset is poised to redefine the space. Snap may be an innovator, but can it keep up with the tech giants?
U.S.-China Trade and the Future of Snap’s Hardware Ambitions
Another looming challenge for Snapchat is its reliance on Chinese manufacturers for its Spectacles AR glasses. With increasing trade restrictions between the U.S. and China, Spiegel worries about the impact on innovation.
“The issue that the business community has right now is there’s not enough clarity,” Spiegel said. “So the more clarity the government can create… that would help.”
Snapchat’s ability to navigate these geopolitical tensions could determine its future in hardware. If U.S.-China relations continue to sour, manufacturing constraints could put Snap at a significant disadvantage against Meta and Apple, which have more resources to adapt.
