Snap accused of intentionally friending alleged child predators in New Mexico

Snap is firing back at the New Mexico attorney general’s lawsuit accusing the company of systematically recommending teens’ accounts to child predators. The tech giant claims that the AG intentionally sought out such accounts before any recommendations were made, calling the case based on “gross misrepresentations” and selective use of Snap’s internal documents.

Snap’s Response to Allegations

In a motion to dismiss, Snap refutes AG Raúl Torrez’s claims, stating they are “patently false,” and challenging the misrepresentation of their undercover investigation. The AG alleges that Snap violated state laws by misleading users about the safety of its disappearing messages, enabling abusers to exploit minors.

Undercover Investigation

Contrary to the state’s portrayal, Snap reveals that investigators initiated contact with targeted usernames from a decoy account, such as ‘nudedude_22’ and ‘ineedasugardadx.’ They also claim it was the government’s decoy account that engaged with potentially harmful accounts, not Snap’s recommendations.

Internal Document Disputes

Snap also defends its handling of child sexual abuse material, clarifying that they are mandated to report such content to authorities and do not store it on their servers. The company accuses the state of mischaracterizing their actions and failing to acknowledge legal obligations.

Response to Dismissal

The New Mexico Department of Justice’s director of communications, Lauren Rodriguez, condemns Snap’s dismissal attempt as avoiding accountability for harm to children. She accuses Snap of prioritizing profits over safety and failing to address platform dangers effectively.

Legal Grounds

Snap defends itself on multiple fronts, including challenges to age verification mandates, parental controls, and invoking the legal protections of Section 230. The company argues that the state’s claims of misrepresentation are based on vague statements rather than guarantees of safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Snap’s response to the New Mexico AG’s lawsuit highlights discrepancies in the allegations and emphasizes legal compliance and commitment to child safety. The ongoing legal battle between Snap and the state underscores the complexities of regulating online platforms and protecting vulnerable users.

FAQs

Q: What are the main points of Snap’s defense against the New Mexico AG’s lawsuit?

A: Snap refutes allegations of intentionally recommending accounts to predators, disputes the handling of undercover investigations, and defends its compliance with laws regarding child sexual abuse material.

Q: How does Snap respond to accusations of prioritizing profits over child safety?

A: Snap denies these claims, stating their commitment to protecting users and complying with legal obligations regarding harmful content.

Credit: www.theverge.com