Florida AG sues Snapchat operator over social media age verification law

Florida Attorney General James Ulthmeier on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against Snapchat operator Snap Inc., alleging it knowingly violated state law requiring parental consent for minors aged 14-15 to use social media.

“We take the safety and security of children very seriously, and as part of our mission to make Florida the best place to raise a family, we are holding social media platforms that harm children accountable," Ulthmeier said in a statement. "Snap is deceiving Florida parents about the dangers children face on the app, from behavioral addictive features to allowing sexual predators and drug dealers access, and we cannot allow this deception to continue.”

The suit further argues that Snap markets the app as appropriate for users as young as 12 despite knowing that it provides easy access to pornography, drugs, and other potentially harmful content.

Filed in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District in and for Santa Rosa County, the suit brings two counts against Snapc, Inc., including violation of Florida HB3 and the state's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The state is seeking a court decision ordering Snap to comply with state law, impose civil penalties, and award punitive damages.