Unsealed New Mexico Snapchat Lawsuit Alleges Child Safety Neglect

The lawsuit, which follows an initial heavily redacted filing, reveals that Snap employees encountered approximately 10,000 sextortion cases each month but chose not to warn users or parents to avoid creating “fear.” Internal communications indicate that management resisted safety enhancements proposed by trust and safety staff, prioritizing design over child safety. Features like Snapchat’s “Quick Add” and Snap Map allegedly facilitated dangerous interactions by suggesting adult users to minors and allowing adults to locate minors’ accounts. Additionally, the platform is accused of tolerating illegal activities, including drug and gun sales, further raising concerns about its safety for young users.

Key Allegations

• Negligence in Reporting: Snap reportedly ignored 90% of user reports related to grooming and sextortion, with some accounts remaining active despite multiple reports against them.

• Dangerous Features: The “Quick Add” feature and Snap Map have been highlighted as particularly risky, with instances of adults using these tools to contact minors.

• Lack of Safety Mechanisms: Internal complaints from former employees suggest that management consistently resisted implementing necessary safety features, citing concerns over administrative costs and user privacy.

• Illicit Activity: The lawsuit also claims that Snap has failed to adequately address the promotion of drug and gun sales on its platform, with users reportedly able to advertise illegal activities without repercussions.

Overall, the lawsuit paints a troubling picture of Snapchat’s handling of child safety issues, with serious implications for the platform’s suitability for young users.