Snapchat, a popular app among young people, is being accused of facilitating criminal behavior, particularly in relation to sextortion and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the app’s design elements, such as its “disappearing” messages feature, have created a breeding ground for predators targeting minors. Torrez alleges that Snap, the owner of Snapchat, has misled users into believing that their messages will vanish, when in reality, predators can capture and store sensitive content indefinitely.
In an undercover investigation conducted by Torrez’s office, a Snapchat account posing as a 14-year-old girl named Heather was used to interact with profiles with disturbing names like “child.rape” and “pedo_lover10.” Shockingly, several of these accounts attempted to coerce the decoy account into sharing CSAM. The AG’s office claims that Snapchat’s assertion of being a “more private” and “less permanent” social media platform is deceptive, as predators can easily exploit the disappearing messages feature to obtain compromising material.
Torrez’s office uncovered over 10,000 records linking Snap to CSAM on the dark web, with Snapchat being identified as a major source of such illicit content. Drawing from his successful litigation against Meta, Torrez is focusing on Snapchat’s product design in his lawsuit, aiming to hold the company accountable for enabling criminal activities like sextortion. By honing in on the app’s features, such as disappearing messages and the “Quick Add” button, Torrez seeks to establish Snapchat as a favored platform for predators.
The lawsuit against Snap raises questions about the accountability of tech platforms for the actions of their users, particularly in cases involving illegal behavior. Torrez is calling on the court to compel Snap to cease its alleged unlawful practices, impose financial penalties, and relinquish any profits obtained through unjust means. With recent legal precedents signaling a shift towards greater scrutiny of product claims and platform design, Snapchat may face significant repercussions if found liable for facilitating criminal behavior.
The allegations against Snapchat underscore the need for robust oversight and regulation of social media platforms to protect vulnerable users from exploitation. The case brought forth by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sheds light on the darker side of technology, where predators use popular apps to prey on unsuspecting victims. It is imperative for companies like Snap to prioritize user safety and security, rather than prioritize profit over protecting the well-being of their user base.