Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has reached a settlement in a social media addiction lawsuit just before trial. The case was scheduled to start in Los Angeles.
Lawyers announced the deal during a California Superior Court hearing. Snap later said all parties resolved the matter amicably. The terms of the settlement remain confidential.
Other Tech Giants Still Face Court
Other defendants include Meta, owner of Instagram, TikTok’s parent ByteDance, and Google’s parent company Alphabet. None have agreed to settle.
The plaintiff, a 19-year-old woman identified as K.G.M., alleged that platform algorithms caused addiction and negatively affected her mental health.
Because the remaining companies did not settle, the trial will move forward against them. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on 27 January.
Executives Expected to Testify
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the trial. Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel had also been scheduled to appear before the settlement.
Meta, TikTok, and Alphabet did not respond to media inquiries regarding the settlement.
Snap remains a defendant in other social media addiction lawsuits. Courts have consolidated those cases into one larger proceeding.
Legal Protections Under Pressure
The lawsuits could challenge a legal defense long used by social media companies.
Companies argue that Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act shields them from liability. The law protects platforms from responsibility for content posted by users.
Plaintiffs argue platform designs actively encourage addiction. They highlight algorithms and notifications as features that manipulate user behavior.
Social media companies deny responsibility for alleged harms. They argue the evidence does not prove connections to depression or eating disorders.
