Snapchat, a popular social media app known for its disappearing messages feature, is facing serious allegations of facilitating criminal activity, specifically targeting children for sextortion and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has filed a lawsuit against Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, accusing them of violating state laws and creating a platform that harbors predators.
Torrez’s office conducted an undercover investigation, similar to one previously done against Meta, another tech giant. They created a fake Snapchat account posing as a 14-year-old, named Heather, and interacted with profiles with disturbing names like “child.rape” and “pedo_lover10.” Shockingly, several accounts attempted to coerce the decoy into sharing CSAM, revealing the dark reality lurking on the platform.
Snapchat markets itself as a more private and less permanent social media app, but according to the AG, this is misleading. The disappearing messages feature may give users, particularly kids and teens, a false sense of security that their photos and videos are transient. However, predators can easily capture and store this content indefinitely, creating a sinister digital archive of child exploitation material.
Torrez’s office uncovered disturbing findings on the dark web, with over 10,000 records related to Snap and CSAM in 2023. Shockingly, Snapchat was identified as the primary source of images and videos among the dark web sites investigated. This revelation paints a grim picture of the extent of criminal activity occurring on the platform and the ease with which predators exploit vulnerable users.
Torrez is employing a strategic approach in his lawsuit against Snap, focusing on the design elements of Snapchat’s product. By targeting features like disappearing messages and the “Quick Add” button, which can be used by predators to contact minors, he aims to hold the company accountable for facilitating sextortion and child exploitation. This tactic mirrors his successful litigation against Meta, where he circumvented Section 230 legal protections for tech platforms by emphasizing product design flaws.
Recent legal developments, such as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals allowing a lawsuit against a Snapchat-based app for false advertising, signal a shift towards holding tech companies accountable for misleading product claims. Torrez’s lawsuit seeks to compel Snap to cease illegal practices, pay penalties, and forfeit any ill-gotten profits. This legal battle shines a spotlight on the urgent need to address online platforms’ role in enabling criminal behavior and safeguarding vulnerable individuals, especially children.
The allegations against Snapchat are deeply troubling, pointing to a disturbing trend of criminal exploitation on social media platforms. As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the tech industry. Safeguarding users, particularly minors, from predators and harmful content should be a top priority for all social media companies. The dark side of Snapchat serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities that come with operating a digital platform in today’s interconnected world.