Attorney General James Uthmeier Takes Legal Action Against Snapchat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced legal action against Snap, Inc., the operator of the popular Snapchat social media company. Attorney General Uthmeier is filing suit over the company knowingly and willingly breaking Florida statute, enshrined in last year’s HB3, and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

“We take the safety and security of children very seriously, and as part of our mission to make Florida the best place to raise a family, we are holding social media platforms that harm children accountable,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Snap is deceiving Florida parents about the dangers children face on the app, from behavioral addictive features to allowing sexual predators and drug dealers access, and we cannot allow this deception to continue.”

Passed by the legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. DeSantis, HB 3 identifies five addictive design features that some social media platforms use to promote behavioral addiction and compulsive use. Snapchat utilizes four of the five such features, including infinite scrolling, push notifications, personal interactive metrics that indicate the number of times other users have clicked a button to reveal their reaction to content or have shared or reposed content (such as SnapStreaks), and auto-play videos.

The law also prohibits covered social media platforms that deploy those features from contracting with and providing accounts to people who the apps know are 13 years of age or younger. HB 3 requires that platforms obtain parental consent before contracting with and providing accounts to people who are 14 or 15 years old. 

Snap, Inc. has acknowledged in other litigation that it is subject to HB 3, yet is openly defying Florida law. Snap continues to market Snapchat in Florida as safe for users as young as 13, even though it knows that Snapchat can be easily used to access pornography and buy drugs, among many other dangers. Attorney General Uthmeier’s lawsuit states that rather than obeying Florida law, Snap is actively deceiving parents about the risks associated with using the platform.

Additionally, the lawsuit states other dangers faced by minors on the app that Snap, Inc. fails to address in violation of Florida law—including exposing minors to harmful content that includes profanity; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; sexual content and nudity; and mature or suggestive themes. 

The legal action also notes the ease with which online predators or drug dealers can contact minors. 

To view a copy of the lawsuit, click here.

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