Snapchat Sued Over Alleged Role in Sexual Assault of Minor

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New York: The family of a girl, aged 13, has filed a lawsuit against Snap Inc., alleging that the social media platform's design features made it possible for an adult to reach out to, groom and later sexually assault the child.

According to a complaint filed in a US court, the suspect allegedly communicated with the teen using Snapchat's disappearing messages and other capabilities to escape notice by her parents. The lawsuit claims that the site failed to adopt necessary protections to prevent adults from contacting minors, despite persistent worries about online child exploitation.

The family claims that Snap Inc.'s negligence led to the abuse, and that stricter child safety precautions may have prevented the assault. The complaint demands reparations for the girl's bodily and mental injuries.

The lawsuit adds to the rising legal criticism of major social media companies for apparently failing to sufficiently protect children from cyber predators. Snap Inc. has previously stated that it invests in safety tools and works with law enforcement to combat child abuse, and it expects to contest the charges in court.