Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday (R) announced a lawsuit Tuesday against Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, alleging the platform fails to protect children from compulsive use and misrepresents the prevalence of adult content.
The complaint, filed this week in state court, claims Snapchat knowingly underreports the frequency of drug-related and sexual material to maintain its 13+ rating in app stores. Sunday argued that this deceptive marketing violates Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws.
"Once they have you signed up and logged in, you are officially in their clutches," Sunday said at a press conference. "From there, Snapchat essentially says good luck getting out."
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Snapchat to overhaul its marketing practices and disclose the addictive nature of its features. Sunday emphasized the need for "honesty" from the company, adding that the legal action aims to "finally come clean about the addictiveness of their app and takes real action to protect young users."
A key target is the Snap Streak feature, which tracks consecutive days of mutual snaps between users. Sunday alleged that this mechanic "puts a tangible value on friendships and influences a child's feelings of self-worth," as losing a streak can cause distress. He also noted that disappearing messages and photos encourage risky behavior, such as sharing revealing images, because users believe content vanishes.
Sunday argued that parents rely on transparency from tech companies when deciding which platforms their children may use, and they do not have time to "fully explore" every app. The lawsuit follows a similar complaint against TikTok filed by Sunday's office just weeks ago, signaling a broader crackdown on social media platforms targeting minors.
In response, a Snap spokesperson rejected the allegations, saying they "fundamentally misrepresent" the platform and its approach to teen safety. The spokesperson highlighted that Snapchat "opens to a camera, not a feed of content" and was designed to encourage "self-expression and authentic connection with friends."
"We share the Attorney General's commitment to protecting young people online and are disappointed they have chosen litigation rather than working with us toward that shared goal," the spokesperson said.
The legal battle comes amid growing scrutiny of social media's impact on youth mental health, with state attorneys general increasingly pursuing action against major platforms. Sunday's office has been active in other areas, including cracking down on Medicaid fraud, and this lawsuit adds to his record on consumer protection.
Political observers note that the case could influence how other states approach tech regulation, especially as Pennsylvania's political landscape shifts ahead of the next election cycle. The outcome may also affect federal efforts, particularly as the Justice Department faces its own legal battles.
Snap has previously introduced parental controls and age verification tools, but Sunday argues these measures are insufficient. The lawsuit demands that Snapchat implement more robust safeguards, including limiting streaks for minors and providing clearer warnings about addictive design.
As the case proceeds, both sides are expected to present evidence on Snapchat's internal research and user data. Legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for holding tech companies accountable for algorithmic features that allegedly harm children.
