Snapchat has today issued a new update for Android and iOS that allows users to opt out of linking their phone number with their username. The move comes after 4.6 million phone numbers were leaked on New Year’s Day following “abuse” of the Snapchat API — which Snapchat has apologized for in a new blog post.“This morning we released a Snapchat update for Android and iOS that improves Find Friends functionality and allows Snapchatters to opt-out of linking their phone number with their username,” Snapchat announced on its website. The new option can be found in the Snapchat settings menu under “mobile #.”

The update also requires new Snapchat users to verify their phone number before using the Find Friends service.

“Our team continues to make improvements to the Snapchat service to prevent future attempts to abuse our API,” Snapchat added. “We are sorry for any problems this issue may have caused you and we really appreciate your patience and support.”

The Snapchat updates can be downloaded now from the App Store and Google Play.

• SourceSnapchat