Texas attorney general files lawsuit accusing Snapchat of misleading parents about safety
Austin, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc., the company behind the social media platform Snapchat, accusing it of misleading parents and consumers about the app’s safety and design. State officials say the legal action centers on claims that the company failed to properly warn families about potentially harmful material and addictive features on the platform.
The lawsuit alleges that Snapchat’s creators promoted the app as safe for children while labeling it with “12+” age ratings in app stores, even though users were frequently exposed to content considered inappropriate for minors. According to the filing, that material included profanity, sexual content, nudity, and references to drug use. State attorneys argue that these risks were not clearly disclosed to parents or guardians deciding whether the app was suitable for their children.
Lawsuit claims misleading safety messaging
Officials claim the platform’s design includes built-in incentives meant to keep users returning every day. Among the features highlighted in the lawsuit is Snapstreaks, which rewards users for daily interaction. The complaint argues that such tools can contribute to excessive use and may negatively affect young users because of their addictive qualities.
“I will not allow Snapchat to harm our kids by running a business designed to get Texas children addicted to a platform filled with obscene and destructive content,” Paxton said. “Parents have a fundamental right to know the dangers of the apps their kids are using and not be lied to by Big Tech companies. This lawsuit will hold Snapchat accountable for illegally undermining parental rights, deceiving consumers, and for putting children in danger.”
The state’s legal action claims Snapchat knowingly misrepresented how safe the platform was for younger audiences. Prosecutors say the case aims to hold the company accountable for allegedly misleading consumers and failing to provide adequate warnings about risks tied to the app’s content and usage patterns.
This lawsuit is part of a broader push by the attorney general’s office targeting major technology and social media companies. Officials noted that similar legal actions have already been filed against platforms such as TikTok and Roblox as part of an ongoing effort to address concerns about online safety and youth protection.
State officials said the outcome of the case could influence how technology companies present safety information to families and how digital platforms design features intended for younger users.
