Utah has declared war on Snapchat, filing a lawsuit that exposes how the app’s design deliberately addicts children while facilitating drug sales and sexual exploitation of minors across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Utah has filed its fourth major lawsuit against social media companies, targeting Snapchat for features allegedly designed to addict children while facilitating illegal activities
- The lawsuit specifically highlights ephemeral messages, Snapstreaks, and the “My AI” chatbot as harmful features that exploit children’s psychological vulnerabilities
- Snapchat is accused of becoming a “virtual market” for drug cartels and enabling sexual predators to target minors while collecting sensitive data without proper disclosure
- The controversial “My AI” feature can only be removed with a paid subscription, forcing children to interact with AI that has provided inappropriate advice
- Utah officials are seeking penalties and reforms to prioritize children’s safety over corporate profits
Utah Takes Aim at Snapchat’s Exploitation of Children
Utah has escalated its battle against Big Tech by filing a lawsuit against Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat, marking the state’s fourth legal action against major social media platforms. The lawsuit alleges that Snapchat deliberately incorporates addictive design features that harm children’s mental health while facilitating dangerous illegal activities. Utah officials are targeting the platform’s unique features, including disappearing messages, streak counters, and AI technology that they claim exploit children’s psychological vulnerabilities for profit while enabling predators and drug dealers to operate with minimal oversight.
“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 Gov. Cox.
The lawsuit stands apart from previous actions against Meta and TikTok by focusing on Snapchat’s position as the platform where children are most active and vulnerable. Officials point to numerous cases where adults have used the app to prey on children in Utah, with the platform’s disappearing messages feature enabling predators to cover their tracks. The complaint also highlights Snapchat’s role in facilitating drug trafficking, with evidence of a significant drug ring operating through the app in 2019, effectively turning the platform into what officials describe as a virtual marketplace for drug cartels.
Controversial “My AI” Feature Raises Serious Concerns
One of the most troubling elements highlighted in Utah’s lawsuit is Snapchat’s “My AI” feature, a ChatGPT-powered chatbot that officials claim was unleashed on young users without proper safety protocols. The AI has allegedly provided harmful advice to minors and collects user data even when in “Ghost Mode.” More concerning to parents and officials is that this feature can only be removed if users pay for a subscription, essentially forcing children to interact with potentially dangerous AI unless their parents are willing to pay to remove it.
“This, of all the cases, this one really matters, because this is where kids are,” said Utah Attorney General Derek Brown.
The Attorney General emphasized the urgency of addressing Snapchat specifically because it has become the central platform where concerning activities involving minors take place. “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,” added General Brown.
Data Collection and Privacy Violations
The lawsuit further accuses Snap of violating the Utah Consumer Privacy Act through deceptive data collection practices. According to the complaint, Snapchat fails to properly inform users about what data is being collected and doesn’t provide adequate options to opt out of sensitive data sharing. Officials point to the platform’s use of “dark patterns” to extract information from children and its collection of geolocation data without clear disclosure, raising serious privacy concerns for young users who may not understand the implications of the information they’re sharing.
“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, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce. Her statement reflects the frustration shared by many officials and parents who believe social media companies continue harmful practices despite mounting evidence of their negative impacts on children’s well-being.
Utah’s Push for Accountability and Reform
The lawsuit represents Utah’s broader commitment to holding tech companies accountable for their impact on children. Officials are seeking penalties and relief aimed at forcing Snapchat to prioritize children’s well-being over profit motives. The legal action is part of a coordinated effort supported by Governor Spencer Cox and other state officials to ensure safer online environments for minors. Utah’s approach signals a growing trend of states taking the lead in regulating social media companies when federal action has been slow or insufficient to address the risks these platforms pose to young users.
“Utah’s youth deserve a safe digital environment, free from exploitation and harmful influences. Our lawsuit against Snap serves as a critical reminder that companies must prioritize the welfare of our children over profit. We are committed to enforcing the necessary protections and standing up against practices that endanger the mental and emotional well-being of young users,” stated Margaret Woolley Busse, Department of Commerce Executive Director.
As this legal battle unfolds, parents are being encouraged to remain vigilant about their children’s social media usage. Attorney General Brown emphasized that parental awareness is crucial, stating, “We will do everything we can using the legal system to incentivize and encourage companies to take steps to protect kids. And parents need to be very mindful of what’s taking place on social media, because a lot of the drug dealing, the extortion, the sexting, and a lot of the really problematic things that are taking place right now with our kids is focused not just on social media, but on Snapchat.”
