Pennsylvania Attorney General Sues Snap Inc. Over Youth Addiction

Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc. in Philadelphia's Common Pleas Court, alleging the company engineered Snapchat to foster compulsive use among adolescents. The complaint specifically targets features such as SnapStreaks and ephemeral messaging, claiming they exploit teenage psychology and the fear of missing out to drive addiction.

The state further alleges that Snap Inc. violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by misleading app stores regarding the prevalence of adult-themed material. Sunday claims the company downplayed the frequency of nudity, drug use, and suicidal ideation to maintain a 13+ age rating. This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed by Sunday against TikTok earlier in August as part of a broader effort to regulate technology marketed to children.

Snap Inc. denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit misrepresents the platform's approach to teen safety and expressing disappointment that the state chose litigation over collaboration. Attorney General Sunday is seeking court orders to force the company to update its app store ratings, publicly acknowledge the platform's addictiveness, and implement enhanced youth safety measures.