Meta settled an addiction lawsuit for business reasons
Meta settled with K.D.B., an 18-year-old Mississippi woman, ahead of a social media addiction trial, leaving Snap as the sole defendant. The settlement terms were not disclosed; sources cited by The Straits Times said Meta acted for business reasons. K.D.B.’s lawyer, Emily Jeffcott, said she was pleased with the resolution. A Snap spokesperson said the lawsuit mischaracterizes how Snapchat works.
More context
Meta settled a social media addiction lawsuit, averting a trial in a case involving K.D.B., an 18-year-old from Mississippi, and leaving Snap as the only company expected to defend the case. K.D.B. had also settled claims with TikTok and YouTube. The case was the fourth of nine bellwether personal-injury lawsuits against Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap, which accuse the companies’ products of being addictive. The settlement terms were not disclosed. The Straits Times cited sources saying Meta settled for business reasons. K.D.B.’s attorney, Emily Jeffcott, said in a statement that her side was pleased to have brought the matter to a just resolution. A Snap spokesperson said the lawsuit “fundamentally misrepresent(s)” how Snapchat works; Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Reporting
- The New York Times — Meta Settles Social Media Addiction Case, Avoiding Trial - The New York Times
- The Straits Times — Meta settles, leaving Snap sole defendant in new social media trial
- The Hill — Meta settles with second plaintiff during trial over social media addiction
- engadget.com — Meta Settles Another Social Media Addiction Case Just Before Trial
Verifier’s note
Engadget, The New York Times, The Hill, and The Straits Times report that Meta settled a social media addiction case, avoiding a trial; the reports are consistent with the proposed event. Sokolove Law’s result is a law-firm update rather than a news-publisher report.