Florida Sues Snapchat For ‘addictive Design Features,’ Failing To Protect Kids

Snapchat is facing another lawsuit, this clip from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. The app known for sharing videos and photos is being accused of utilizing features that are addictive to children without putting barriers successful spot to protect them.

The suit joins nan increasing speech from states, attorneys general, lawmakers and parents astir nan work societal media companies person to support their platforms safe for children. 

Florida AG sues Snapchat complete addictive features

The complaint revenge connected Tuesday, April 22, outlines that Snap Inc. claims its profiles are safe for teens arsenic young arsenic 13, but those profiles tin still entree pornography and different worldly harmful to children. Although parental consent is required for teen users aged 14 and 15, Uthmeier said Snapchat is not adding safeguards. 

“We return nan information and information of children very seriously, and arsenic portion of our ngo to make Florida nan champion spot to raise a family, we are holding societal media platforms that harm children accountable,” Attorney General Uthmeier said. “Snap is deceiving Florida parents astir nan dangers children look connected nan app, from behavioral addictive features to allowing intersexual predators and supplier dealers access, and we cannot let this deception to continue.”

Lawsuit centers connected Florida authorities law

The suit centers astir a Florida statute signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis successful 2024 and nan Deceptive and Unfair Trades Practices Act. Florida lawmakers passed nan statute, HB 3, to place 5 “addictive creation features” that societal media platforms whitethorn use.

According to tribunal documents, Florida authorities impeach Snapchat of utilizing astatine slightest 4 “addictive creation features,” including infinite scrolling, push notifications, individual interactive metrics and autoplay videos. 

Florida rule bars societal media platforms that usage these types of functions from allowing users 13 years aliases younger to make an account. If nan personification is 14 aliases 15 years old, nan rule requires them to get parental consent earlier activating an account.

The title documents that “Snap has millions of users successful nan State of Florida, including tens of thousands of users who are nether 16 years old. Snap generates millions of dollars of yearly gross by making Snapchat disposable to users successful Florida.”

Snapchat defends design, says Florida rule is unconstitutional

In a connection to aggregate news outlets, a spokesperson for Snapchat said Florida’s rule violated nan First Amendment and people’s privacy.

“This rule does not adequately reside property verification and infringes connected nan First Amendment authorities of adults and young group while besides opening Floridians up to information protection and privateness issues,” nan institution said. “We judge location are much privacy-conscious solutions to online information and managing property verification, including astatine nan operating system, app store, aliases instrumentality level.” 

Snap besides points to pending litigation against HB 3, which is presently challenging its constitutionality. The tech institution claims Florida is trying to bypass nan issues being based on successful national court. 

Tech groups writer Florida complete 2024 rule

NetChoice and nan Computer & Communications Industry Association are down nan lawsuit. The 2 groups argue nan rule blocks entree to free reside and doesn’t support Floridians safer online. They mention cybercrime statistic showing 2.9 cardinal American students were victims of ransomware attacks successful 2023. They besides said that if societal media companies cod information from users, they would go a premier target for cybercriminals.

New York, New Mexico and Vermont are among nan states taking Snapchat to court, alleging nan institution grounded to protect kids. Some lawsuits were revenge by parents who declare their kids were negatively impacted by nan app’s features.