Utah launches landmark lawsuit against Snapchat, exposing how the popular app deliberately designs addictive features that trap children while enabling drug trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.
Key Takeaways
- Utah has filed its fourth major lawsuit against social media companies, targeting Snapchat for deliberately creating addictive features that harm children’s mental health.
- The lawsuit alleges Snapchat facilitates illegal activities including drug sales, sexual exploitation, and trafficking of minors through features like disappearing messages.
- Snapchat’s “My AI” chatbot is highlighted as particularly problematic, collecting user data even in “Ghost Mode” and providing harmful advice to minors.
- Utah officials argue that Snap Inc. has violated consumer privacy laws by extracting personal information from children without proper disclosure or opt-out options.
- The state is seeking penalties and relief that would force Snapchat to prioritize children’s safety over corporate profits.
Utah Takes Bold Stand Against Snapchat’s Predatory Practices
In a decisive move to protect America’s youth, Utah has become the latest state to take legal action against social media giant Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat. The lawsuit, filed by Utah’s Attorney General Derek Brown and the Department of Commerce with support from Governor Spencer Cox, accuses the platform of deliberately designing features that exploit psychological vulnerabilities in children to create addiction and dependency. This marks Utah’s fourth lawsuit against major social media companies, following previous legal actions against Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok, demonstrating the state’s commitment to holding Big Tech accountable.
“Utah is taking a stand to protect our kids in an increasingly digital world. This lawsuit against Snap is about accountability and about drawing a clear line: the well-being of our children must come before corporate profits. We won’t sit back while tech companies exploit young users. It’s time for commonsense protections that ensure a safer online experience for every minor,” said Governor Cox.
A Platform Enabling Criminal Activity
Utah’s lawsuit presents disturbing evidence that Snapchat has become a virtual marketplace for drug cartels and sexual predators targeting children. The platform’s signature disappearing messages feature, initially marketed as a fun way to share temporary content, has reportedly become a tool exploited by criminals to conduct illegal activities without leaving evidence. A significant drug ring operating through Snapchat was uncovered in 2019, and numerous cases of sexual assault and exploitation facilitated through the app have been documented across the state.
“This, of all the cases, this one really matters, because this is where kids are,” stated Utah Attorney General Derek Brown.
The lawsuit specifically highlights features like Snapstreaks, which create psychological pressure on users to maintain daily communication or lose their “streak” status. This gamification element reportedly drives compulsive use among young people who fear disappointing friends or losing social status. Such manipulative tactics reveal how tech companies have weaponized behavioral psychology against vulnerable children for profit, with little regard for the mental health consequences.
Controversial AI Technology Targeting Children
Perhaps most concerning is Snapchat’s introduction of “My AI,” a chatbot powered by ChatGPT that has been heavily criticized for lacking appropriate safety protocols. The lawsuit claims this AI feature has provided harmful advice to minors, including recommendations on how to hide odors when smoking marijuana and suggestions for inappropriate activities. Adding insult to injury, Snapchat only allows users to remove this problematic AI feature if they purchase a paid subscription, effectively forcing children to interact with potentially dangerous artificial intelligence.
“Snapchat’s features facilitate sexual predators and drug dealers’ efforts to target and exploit children. We will continue to do everything in our power to protect Utah kids from exploitation. My office will not be deterred in its efforts to keep children safe online,” explained General Brown.
The complaint further alleges that Snap Inc. has violated the Utah Consumer Privacy Act by employing deceptive “dark patterns” to extract sensitive information from children without properly informing users about data collection practices or allowing them to opt out of data sharing. Even more troubling, the lawsuit claims My AI continues collecting user data even when in “Ghost Mode,” directly contradicting the company’s public statements about privacy protections.
Putting Children Before Profits
Utah’s legal action seeks significant penalties against Snap Inc. and demands relief measures that would force the company to fundamentally change its approach to product design and user safety. State officials have made it clear that this lawsuit is about establishing a principle: the well-being of children must take precedence over corporate profits. The case represents a growing nationwide movement to hold tech companies accountable for the harm their products cause to young users.
“If I’m the head of this company, and I understand how much my product is harming kids and how unsafe it is, why would I keep doing this?” questioned Margaret Busse, highlighting the moral failure of Snap’s leadership.
As this landmark case progresses, it could establish important legal precedents for how social media companies must design their platforms with child safety in mind. With President Trump’s administration focused on protecting American families from harmful corporate practices, this lawsuit aligns with a broader conservative movement to rein in Big Tech’s unchecked power and influence over our nation’s youth. Utah’s bold stand against Snapchat may prove to be the turning point in the fight to create a safer digital environment for children across America.
