Snapchat, the popular social media app known for its disappearing messages feature, is facing serious allegations of facilitating criminal behavior. According to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the app has become a breeding ground for predators targeting children for sextortion and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These disturbing claims have led to a lawsuit being filed against Snap, the owner of Snapchat, for allegedly violating New Mexico law and creating a public nuisance.
One of the key arguments in the lawsuit is based on Snapchat’s design elements, such as the disappearing messages feature. Torrez asserts that Snap has misled users into believing that their photos and videos will disappear once sent on the platform. However, predators can easily capture this content and create a virtual collection of child sexual images that can be traded, sold, and stored indefinitely. This misleading design has allegedly made Snapchat a primary platform for criminals to carry out sextortion.
Torrez’s office conducted an undercover investigation to expose the extent of predatory behavior on Snapchat. By creating a decoy Snapchat account posing as a 14-year-old girl named Heather, the office was able to interact with other profiles promoting CSAM. Shockingly, accounts with names like “child.rape” and “pedo_lover10” attempted to persuade the decoy into sharing inappropriate content. This investigation revealed the disturbing reality of how predators use Snapchat to target vulnerable individuals, especially minors.
Legal Action
In his lawsuit against Snap, Torrez is taking a similar approach to his successful litigation against Meta by focusing on the design flaws of Snapchat. By highlighting features like disappearing messages and the “Quick Add” button that allow predators to contact minors, Torrez aims to hold Snap accountable for its role in facilitating criminal behavior. The lawsuit seeks to stop Snap from engaging in illegal activities, enforce penalties, and require the company to return any profits obtained through unjust means.
The legal battle against Snapchat also raises important questions about regulatory oversight and liability in the tech industry. With the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruling in favor of lawsuits based on misleading product claims, there is a growing recognition of the need to hold tech companies accountable for the consequences of their design choices. The case against Snap could set a precedent for future litigation against social media platforms that fail to address predatory behavior on their platforms.
The allegations against Snapchat and its owner Snap are a stark reminder of the dark side of social media. As platforms like Snapchat continue to evolve and attract millions of users, it is essential for regulators, law enforcement, and tech companies to work together to protect vulnerable individuals from harm. The outcome of the lawsuit against Snap will not only determine the future of Snapchat but also set a precedent for holding tech companies accountable for their role in facilitating criminal behavior.