The database of messaging application Snapchat has been hacked and account information of 4.6 million users has temporarily been posted online by hackers.

The hacker, known as "Lightcontact", first posted the account information on Reddit and on a website called SnapchatDB.info, which was later taken offline.

While the information was posted online, the hacker did censor the final two digits of users' phone numbers and their second names.

SnapchatDB told technology blog TechCrunch that the purpose of the hack was to raise awareness of Snapchat's security flaws and how reckless many internet companies are with user information.

Snapchat is a multi-platform application where users can send private photos to one another, which after viewing are deleted. Those running Snapchat was warned just days ago about the potential for hacking by Australian firm Gibson Security, who claimed they could obtain 10,000 phone numbers of Snapchat users "in approximately 7 minutes".

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner

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