A surprising decision by a federal appeals court could open up the possibility for other families to sue Snapchat and other negligent businesses for their role in motor vehicle accidents. The case involved three young men in Wisconsin who died after using the controversial Snapchat speed filter.
Fatal Car Accident Involving Snapchat’s Speed Filter
Snapchat’s speed filter documents real-life speeds in hopes that followers will engage on the popular messaging app. The three young men at the heart of the case were in a vehicle where one of them accelerated to 123 mph while another opened Snapchat, one of the last things they did before they ran off the road and wrecked into a tree.
Details of the Court Ruling in the Snapchat Lawsuit
The boys’ parents believe that the car accident was caused by Snapchat and it should be held responsible for the fatal car accident. They sued the maker of Snapchat after the tragic accident, alleging that the company “knowingly created a dangerous game” by making the speed filter. They argue that the app filter entices young people to drive recklessly at high speeds. The district court initially dismissed the case, citing immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This sweeping law has repeatedly shielded tech companies from being held responsible for what people say on their platforms.
The parents appealed the decision. The three judge-panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision. They ruled that the grieving parents should have the right to sue the company. The panel reasoned that the Communications Decency Act does not apply to the case since it is not about what someone said using the platform but rather about the app’s design. Therefore, the company should be treated like any other that makes a product that can lead to consumer injuries. The company could be held liable for the deaths if the court finds that the manufacturer failed to exercise due care in supplying products that do not present an unreasonable risk of injury to consumers.
The Snapchat lawsuit was remanded to the lower court where the families will have the right to bring forth the claim. If Snapchat is ultimately held responsible for the three men’s deaths, that decision could have far-reaching implications for technology companies, including those that make messaging apps, photo apps, and wearable devices. These companies could potentially be held liable for the harm their products cause to consumers if their products motivate such harmful activity.
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