Snapchat 'sexting' photos leaked

More than 200,000 pictures _ including nudes _ sent through a private photo-chat app have been leaked on an image-sharing website, according to Business Insider.

Snapchat allows users to send photos or videos that are automatically deleted after about 10 seconds, and places restrictions on images being captured or saved.

The leaked photos, including nudity and other types of "sexting," were uploaded on 4chan.org, the same website on which hackers published leaked nude photos of celebrities.

Another concern is that most of the lewd self-taken photos were from underage users, with more than 50 percent of the user population aged 13-17.

Reports say that Snapchat itself was not hacked, but blames third-party apps, such as SaveSnap, SnapBox and SnapSpy, that allows Snapchat users to save photos.

"Everyone who sends a message using Snapchat's service could be at risk," said Patrick Wardle, research director at security firm Synack.

Possibilities for hacking Snapchat through third-party apps show that its security platform is filled with holes, along with similar apps.

CNN money reported that the CEO of Snapchat's competitor Wickr, Nico Sell, said the issue of security was not being taken seriously.

"They could have fixed this with a technical solution. For them to say, 'Oh our servers weren't breached' is irresponsible," he said.