Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Snapchat Over Claims of Inappropriate Content and Addictive Features
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, alleging that the social media platform has failed to adequately inform parents about inappropriate content accessible to children. The lawsuit claims that Snapchat has downplayed the addictive nature of its app, which is marketed as suitable for users aged 12 and older.
The lawsuit asserts that Snapchat has violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misrepresenting its app’s suitability for younger audiences. Despite being listed as appropriate for children, the platform reportedly exposes users to a range of harmful and mature content, including profanity, sexual material, nudity, and drug references.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights various features of the app, such as “Snapstreaks,” which encourage daily usage and contribute to its addictive qualities. Paxton expressed his concerns, stating, “I will not allow Snapchat to harm our kids by running a business designed to get Texas children addicted to a platform filled with obscene and destructive content.” He emphasized that parents deserve transparency regarding the risks associated with the apps their children use, criticizing Big Tech companies for misleading information.
In response to the allegations, Snap Company representatives voiced strong disagreement with Paxton’s claims, arguing that the lawsuit misrepresents how the platform functions. They stated, “There is no single safety measure or policy that can eliminate every potential risk online – just as there isn’t offline. That’s why we’ve implemented strong safeguards, introduced strong safety tutorials and resources, partnered with experts, and continue to invest in features and tools that support the safety, privacy, and well-being of all Snapchatters.”
Paxton is pursuing maximum civil penalties of $10,000 for each of the nine alleged violations of the deceptive trade practices act. He is also seeking a court order to prevent Snapchat from marketing its application to children.
This lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal actions against major tech companies amid a growing conservative backlash. In 2023, Texas lawmakers enacted stricter regulations requiring social media platforms to safeguard minors from inappropriate online content. However, parts of this legislation are currently facing legal challenges, with some being blocked for being unconstitutionally vague.
Paxton has previously utilized similar legal frameworks to file lawsuits against other platforms, including TikTok for bypassing parental controls while still being marketed to users aged 12 and older, and Roblox for exposing children to sexually explicit content.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action against Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, alleging that the social media platform has failed to adequately inform parents about inappropriate content accessible to children. The lawsuit claims that Snapchat has downplayed the addictive nature of its app, which is marketed as suitable for users aged 12 and older.
The lawsuit asserts that Snapchat has violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misrepresenting its app’s suitability for younger audiences. Despite being listed as appropriate for children, the platform reportedly exposes users to a range of harmful and mature content, including profanity, sexual material, nudity, and drug references.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights various features of the app, such as “Snapstreaks,” which encourage daily usage and contribute to its addictive qualities. Paxton expressed his concerns, stating, “I will not allow Snapchat to harm our kids by running a business designed to get Texas children addicted to a platform filled with obscene and destructive content.” He emphasized that parents deserve transparency regarding the risks associated with the apps their children use, criticizing Big Tech companies for misleading information.
In response to the allegations, Snap Company representatives voiced strong disagreement with Paxton’s claims, arguing that the lawsuit misrepresents how the platform functions. They stated, “There is no single safety measure or policy that can eliminate every potential risk online – just as there isn’t offline. That’s why we’ve implemented strong safeguards, introduced strong safety tutorials and resources, partnered with experts, and continue to invest in features and tools that support the safety, privacy, and well-being of all Snapchatters.”
Paxton is pursuing maximum civil penalties of $10,000 for each of the nine alleged violations of the deceptive trade practices act. He is also seeking a court order to prevent Snapchat from marketing its application to children.
This lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal actions against major tech companies amid a growing conservative backlash. In 2023, Texas lawmakers enacted stricter regulations requiring social media platforms to safeguard minors from inappropriate online content. However, parts of this legislation are currently facing legal challenges, with some being blocked for being unconstitutionally vague.
Paxton has previously utilized similar legal frameworks to file lawsuits against other platforms, including TikTok for bypassing parental controls while still being marketed to users aged 12 and older, and Roblox for exposing children to sexually explicit content.
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