Buffalo, New York – Reddit and Google’s YouTube are facing lawsuits in New York state following a court order by Justice Paula Feroleto of the Erie County Supreme Court. The lawsuits aim to hold the social media platforms accountable for allegedly enabling a white supremacist to carry out a racially motivated mass shooting that resulted in the death of 10 Black individuals at a grocery store in Buffalo.
According to the judge, 25 plaintiffs, including store employees, customers who witnessed the shooting, and the son of one of the victims, are allowed to proceed with their claims against Reddit and YouTube. The plaintiffs argue that the platforms were designed to addict and radicalize users, ultimately providing the shooter with the knowledge and resources necessary to carry out the attack.
Both Reddit and YouTube attempted to have the cases dismissed, citing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, the judge ruled that the plaintiffs could pursue claims based on negligence, as the platforms may have owed a duty to prevent such harm.
In response to the court’s decision, Reddit emphasized its commitment to removing hate and violence from its platform, stating that it constantly evaluates methods to uphold its rules. On the other hand, YouTube expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced its intention to appeal, while also expressing sympathy for the victims of the attack.
The lawsuits were filed by the gun control advocacy group Everytown Law and seek civil damages from various defendants, including the social media platforms, retailers who allegedly sold equipment to the shooter, and his parents. The shooter, who pleaded guilty to charges of murder and hate-motivated terrorism, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in February 2023. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to seek the death penalty in federal charges against him.
The court’s decision to allow the lawsuits to proceed represents a significant development in the efforts to hold tech companies accountable for their roles in enabling harmful behavior. It highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the responsibility of social media platforms in regulating content and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies that can lead to real-world violence.