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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [BUSINESS]

2 clusters · 12 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Legal challenges against Snap Inc. addictive design

Overview

Legal actions have been initiated against Snap Inc. in both the United States and the Netherlands, targeting the addictive design of the Snapchat platform.

In Pennsylvania, the Attorney General filed a lawsuit alleging the app uses features like ‘snapstreaks,’ push notifications, and infinite scrolling to encourage compulsive use among children and adolescents. The complaint further asserts that the platform’s ephemeral nature creates a false sense of security that may embolden predators and that the company has been dishonest regarding the prevalence of sexual content, drug use, and suicidal ideation on the app.

In the Netherlands, the Stichting Massaschade & Consument (SMC) filed a lawsuit in the Amsterdam District Court, claiming the platform prioritizes profit over user health. The SMC is demanding that features such as ‘streaks,’ ‘snapscore,’ and ‘autoplay’ be made optional to mitigate a ‘fear of missing out.’ The foundation argues that addiction is a core business model, citing internal documents suggesting the company has acknowledged the anxiety caused by certain features.

Entities

Snapchat · Snap Inc. · Lucia Melcherts · Evan Spiegel · Pennsylvania

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
    Snapchat sued in the Netherlands over addictive app design

    The Dutch foundation Stichting Massaschade & Consument has sued Snapchat in Amsterdam, alleging the app's design is intentionally addictive and harmful to user health.

  2. 17 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    Pennsylvania sues Snap Inc. over Snapchat addiction risks

    Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is suing Snap Inc., alleging Snapchat is designed to be addictive to children and fails to protect them from predators and harmful content.

Sources

dagelijksestandaard.nl · eenvandaag.nl · emerce.nl · explorejeffersonpa.com · informatieprofessional.nl · levittownnow.com · lewistownsentinel.com · mychesco.com · newtownpanow.com · rbfirehose.com · tpo.nl · triblive.com