Snapchat teams up with Amazon to offer image-based shopping

The Snapchat app logo is seen on a smartphone in this picture illustration taken September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Files

Snapchat is teaming up with Amazon.com Inc to let users of its social-media app buy products based on what they see through their smartphone’s camera lenses. 

Snapchat’s mobile app opens up to a camera, which people can use to send disappearing images and videos to their friends. Now, users will be able to point the Snapchat camera at a product they see in the real world to scan its image or barcode. If Amazon recognises the item, it will present a link to purchase it on the retail giant’s app or website, parent company Snap Inc said Sept 24 in a blog post.