A main attraction of Kik that differentiates it from other messaging apps
is its anonymity. To register for the Kik service, a user must enter a first and last name, e-mail address, and birth date (which, as of February 2016, must show that the user is at least 13 years old[SUP]
[20][/SUP]), and select a username.[SUP]
[4][/SUP] The Kik registration process does not request or require the entry of a phone number (although the user has the option to enter one[SUP]
[20][/SUP]), unlike some other messaging services that require a user to provide a functioning mobile phone number.[SUP]
[3]
[/SUP]
The New York Times has reported that
according to law enforcement, Kik's anonymity features go beyond those of most widely used apps.[SUP]
[8][/SUP] As of February 2016, Kik's guide for law enforcement said that the company cannot locate user accounts based on first and last name, e-mail address and/or birth date; the exact username is required to locate a particular account. The guide further said that the company does not have access to content or "historical user data" such as photographs, videos, and the text of conversations, and that photographs and videos are automatically deleted shortly after they are sent. A limited amount of data from a particular account (identified by exact username), including first and last name, birthdate, e-mail address, link to a current profile picture, device-related information, and user location information
such as the most recently used IP address, can be preserved for a period of 90 days pending receipt of a valid order from law enforcement.[SUP]
[4][/SUP] Kik's anonymity has also been cited as a protective safety measure for good faith users, in that "users have screennames; the app doesn’t share phone numbers or email addresses."[SUP]
[21][/SUP]
