Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has settled a U.S. lawsuit brought by two women who alleged that the app was designed to foster dependence. The agreement, announced by the plaintiffs’ lawyers on Monday, means the case will not proceed to trial. Snap said it was pleased to resolve the matter by agreement. The settlement amount was not disclosed.
Opening statements had been scheduled for Wednesday in a Los Angeles court. The plaintiffs said their use of Snapchat had contributed to depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Their lawyers said the agreement would allow them to continue pursuing accountability from social media companies over the effects of their actions on children across the country.
The settlement follows a similar resolution by Meta, announced on Friday, shortly before another U.S. social media addiction case was due to go to trial. The terms of that agreement were also not made public.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the United States alleging that social media platforms harm children and teenagers. In March, a jury in Los Angeles ruled in a separate landmark case that Meta and Google must pay $6 million to a 20-year-old woman. She had alleged that Instagram and YouTube made her dependent on their services as a minor and caused serious psychological harm.
Sources: Der Spiegel.