New Mexico AG Claims Platform Ignored Warnings About Sextortion and Grooming Risks
Snapchat, the popular social media platform, is facing serious allegations of negligence in protecting its young users from sexual exploitation. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres has filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, claiming the platform knowingly put children at risk of sextortion and grooming.
5 Key Points
- New Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Snapchat, alleging inadequate protection of minors from sexual exploitation.
- Internal company documents reveal that Snapchat was receiving approximately 10,000 reports of sextortion monthly in 2022.
- The lawsuit claims Snapchat prioritized user engagement over addressing safety concerns raised by employees.
- Snapchat’s design features, such as Streaks and Quick Add, are alleged to enable abusive behavior.
- The case is part of a broader trend of legal actions against social media platforms over youth safety concerns.
Snapchat’s Alleged Disregard for User Safety
The lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres paints a troubling picture of Snapchat’s alleged negligence in protecting its young users. According to the legal complaint, Snapchat weighed the cost of addressing widespread child grooming against potential administrative burdens and decided it wasn’t worth the effort. This decision was reportedly made despite internal warnings that the problem was becoming increasingly common among teenage users. The suit claims that internal communications reveal the company believed addressing these issues “should not be its responsibility.” Perhaps most alarmingly, safety staff reportedly documented that 90 percent of user reports were ignored in favor of automatic prompts simply telling users to “block the other person.” These allegations suggest a systematic failure to prioritize user safety over engagement and growth metrics.
Shocking Numbers: Snapchat’s Internal Sextortion Data
The newly unredacted complaint in the lawsuit has brought to light disturbing internal data from Snapchat. According to a 2022 internal analysis, company employees were fielding around 10,000 reports of sextortion each month. However, the company itself noted that these numbers were likely grossly underestimated, as victims frequently choose not to report intimidation. This acknowledgment raises serious questions about the true scale of the problem on the platform. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Snapchat executives admitted they couldn’t verify user ages and that user reports and known perpetrators were “falling through the cracks” of their safety systems. These revelations paint a picture of a platform struggling to cope with the scale of sexual exploitation occurring within its user base, particularly among its younger members.
Platform’s Defense vs. Lawsuit’s Claims
In response to the lawsuit, a Snapchat spokesperson emphasized the company’s ongoing efforts to improve safety mechanisms and policies. The statement highlighted the use of advanced technology to detect and block certain activities, prohibitions on friending from suspicious accounts, and collaboration with law enforcement and government agencies. However, the lawsuit alleges that internal disagreements on how to warn users “without stoking fear in Snapchatters” led to inadequate safety measures. The complaint also points to specific design features of the app, such as Streaks and Quick Add, as potentially enabling abusive behavior. This disconnect between the company’s public statements and the allegations in the lawsuit underscores the complex challenges social media platforms face in balancing user engagement with user safety, particularly when it comes to protecting vulnerable young users.
Digital Dangers: The Rise of Online Exploitation
The lawsuit against Snapchat is set against a backdrop of increasing concern about online sexual exploitation, particularly targeting young people. The trend of app-based “sexting” has risen among younger users, many of whom are simultaneously turning to strangers online for comfort and advice. Both behaviors can potentially expose young people to the risk of predation. The problem extends beyond just young users, with sextortion schemes worsening across digital spaces. Recent scams have become more sophisticated, using victims’ personal data to legitimize threats. Experts have noted that the phenomenon is growing among increasingly younger populations and within interpersonal relationships, exacerbated by the accessibility of generative AI tools. This evolving landscape of online threats highlights the critical importance of robust safety measures and user education on social media platforms.
Snapchat Case: Part of a Larger Trend
The lawsuit against Snapchat is part of a broader trend of legal actions against social media platforms over concerns about youth safety. Nationwide, state leaders and school districts are pursuing similar cases, alleging that these platforms are putting young people at risk, failing to warn caregivers, and jeopardizing the mental well-being of entire generations. The New Mexico Attorney General’s statement emphasizes the gravity of the situation, expressing disappointment that executives allegedly ignored Snapchat employees’ warnings. The unredacted information suggesting that addictive features were “blatantly acknowledged and encouraged to remain active” on the platform adds another layer of concern about the priorities of social media companies. As this and similar cases progress, they may have significant implications for how social media platforms are regulated and held accountable for user safety, particularly when it comes to protecting minors from online exploitation.
FAQ
Q: Do you qualify for a social media lawsuit?
A: To see if you qualify, click here.
Q: What are the main allegations in the lawsuit against Snapchat?
A: The lawsuit claims Snapchat ignored warnings about sextortion and grooming risks, prioritizing user engagement over safety measures for minors.
Q: How many sextortion reports was Snapchat receiving monthly, according to the lawsuit?
A: Internal documents revealed Snapchat was receiving approximately 10,000 reports of sextortion monthly in 2022.
Q: What specific features of Snapchat are alleged to enable abusive behavior?
A: The lawsuit cites features such as Streaks and Quick Add that could potentially enable abusive behavior on the platform.
Q: How has Snapchat responded to these allegations?
A: Snapchat stated that it is evolving its safety mechanisms and policies, including using advanced technology and collaborating with law enforcement.
Q: Is this lawsuit part of a larger trend?
A: This case is part of a broader trend of legal actions against social media platforms over concerns about youth safety and mental well-being.
Citations
DiBenedetto, C. (2024, October 1). Snapchat allowed sextortion, grooming to proliferate, lawsuit claims. Mashable. https://mashable.com/article/snapchat-sextortion-grooming-lawsuit?test_uuid=01iI2GpryXngy77uIpA3Y4B&test_variant=a
