Meta has settled another social media addiction lawsuit just before trial was set to begin, leaving Snap as the sole defendant. The case, brought by an 18-year-old Mississippi woman known as K.D.B., alleged she stayed awake for hours scrolling social media, lost focus in class, and engaged in self-harm using methods shown in social media videos.
Jury selection had begun in Los Angeles when K.D.B.'s attorney Emily Jeffcott announced the settlement with Meta, following prior settlements with TikTok and YouTube. Terms were not disclosed. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to testify in the trial, which could last several weeks.
A jury later ruled against Meta and YouTube in a related trial, ordering $6 million in damages. A Snap spokesperson said the lawsuit "fundamentally misrepresent(s)" how Snapchat works, emphasizing it opens to a camera, not a feed, and has built-in safeguards. Both companies face numerous lawsuits over alleged safety lapses; Snap recently settled a case over its "speed filter" linked to fatal teen car crashes.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing