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Snap says New Mexico intentionally friended alleged child predators, then blamed the company

Snap says the complaint makes “patently false” allegations.

Torrez alleges Snap violated the state’s unfair practices and public nuisance laws by misleading users’ about the safety and ephemerality of its “disappearing” messages, which he says have enabled abusers to collect and retain exploitative images of minors. In reality, according to Snap, it’s not allowed to store child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on its servers under federal law, and says it “of course” turns any such content over to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as mandated. The company is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit on several grounds, including that the state is attempting to mandate age verification and parental controls that violate the First Amendment and that the legal liability shield Section 230 should block the suit.

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