Is BeReal Safe?

If you use or plan to use BeReal, you need to know: Is BeReal safe? 

Below, we explain whether BeReal is: 

• Safe to use. 
• Good for privacy. 

We also give some steps you can take to improve both your safety and privacy when using this online service. 

What Is BeReal?

BeReal is a social media app designed to promote authenticity and real-life connections by encouraging users to share unfiltered moments from their daily lives. 

To prompt users to submit content, BeReal sends a notification every day at a random time. Users are encouraged to take and share a photo within a two-minute window. When users respond to the notification, the app simultaneously takes a photo using both the front and rear cameras of the device, providing a snapshot of what the user is doing and a selfie.

BeReal does not offer filters, editing tools, or likes. Its emphasis on raw, unedited photos is intended to reduce the pressure for perfection often associated with other social media platforms.

Photos are shared only with friends on BeReal, fostering a more private and authentic sharing environment than public social networks. Users can view friends’ posts for a limited time.

Is BeReal Safe?

BeReal is as safe as any other social media app. 

That said, the app has limited safety settings, no age verification, and no parental controls. Staying safe is, therefore, more or less entirely dependent on being careful who you add as a friend.

There have been no reported data breaches associated with BeReal, and multiple security sites cite other BeReal users as the biggest danger.

Is BeReal Private?

BeReal is as private as any other social media app. 

How you use the BeReal app can determine how private it is. For example, you can share your BeReal to Friends or Discovery. If you share it with Friends, only the people you have as friends will be able to see it. On the other hand, if you choose the Discovery option, everybody with the app can view it. 

It’s also important to note that while users can only see your content for a limited time, they can screenshot it or otherwise save it for future usage. 

Unless you turn off your location, BeReal will display the general geographical area (for example, “Vancouver, Canada”) where you took the BeReal under your username. 

In its privacy policy, BeReal states that it values its users’ privacy and only collects data you share with them and data it collects through your use of its services. It also says that it does not sell user data. 

The app gives everyone, regardless of where they reside, the same rights, including the right to get a copy of all the information BeReal has about you and the right to correct it. 

Terms of Service; Didn’t Read, a project that rates internet services’ terms of service and privacy policies, gives BeReal a “D” rating. Some of the potential issues listed include users being required to provide identifiable information, the collection of many different types of personal data, and BeReal’s ability to license user content to third parties.

How to Improve Your Safety and Privacy on BeReal

Follow the below steps for a safer and more private experience on BeReal. 

• Adjust privacy settings. Ensure your posts are only shared with friends and not made public. BeReal allows you to control who sees your posts.
• Curate your Friends list. Only add people you know and trust to your Friends list. Regularly review your Friends list and remove anyone you are no longer comfortable sharing personal moments with.
• Be mindful of your surroundings. Pay attention to what’s in the background of your photos to avoid sharing sensitive information like your location, address, or other personal details. Avoid taking photos in places that reveal too much about your personal life, such as your home or workplace.
• Limit personal information. Don’t share personal information in your profile or posts that could be used to identify you, such as your full name, address, or phone number.
• Turn off location services. If BeReal has access to your location, consider turning off location services for the app to prevent it from attaching location data to your posts.
• Use strong, unique passwords. Protect your account with a password that is not used on other platforms. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
• Be conscious of what you share. Remember that your friends can take screenshots of your posts. Be cautious about what you share, as it could be saved and potentially shared outside the app.
• Report and block unwanted interactions. If you experience any inappropriate behavior or interactions, use BeReal’s reporting and blocking features to address the issue and protect yourself.