Snapchat's Struggles with Sextortion and User Safety in New Mexico

Sextortion and Sexual Abuse on Snapchat: The New Mexico Lawsuit

In a shocking revelation, the attorney general of New Mexico, Raúl Torrez, has filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc., highlighting the platform's failure to act on rampant reports of sextortion and sexual abuse targeting minors. This complaint unpacks how internal messages indicate that Snapchat's harmful design features contribute to a perilous environment for young users.

Details of the Lawsuit

According to Torrez, Snap was knowingly negligent, not warning parents, young users, or the public about the escalation of these heinous acts on its platform. For example, a former Snapchat employee noted significant resistance from management when proposing enhanced safety measures.

• 75 reports against a single account for inappropriate content were ignored.
• An internal email revealed around 10,000 sextortion user reports monthly.

Snap's defense cites that their platform includes built-in safety guardrails and mechanisms to protect minors. However, the lawsuit contends that these assertions are misleading, as the threats have been both significant and systemic.

Conclusion: The Way Forward

This lawsuit brings to light urgent questions regarding the responsibility of platforms like Snapchat in preventing sexual abuse and sextortion. The contentious issue demands immediate action to safeguard young users in the digital landscape.