ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

US Lawmaker Files Lawsuit Against Meta Over Tragic 'Sextortion Scam' Suicide

South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey sues Meta for wrongful death.
PUBLISHED FEB 6, 2024
Cover Image Source: Meta logo | Getty Images | Photo by Leon Neal
Cover Image Source: Meta logo | Getty Images | Photo by Leon Neal

South Carolina State Representative Brandon Guffey has taken legal action against Instagram's parent company, Meta, following the tragic death of his 17-year-old son, Gavin Guffey. The teenager, a victim of a "sextortion scam" on the social media platform, took his own life in 2022. Guffey alleges gross negligence and wrongful death, claiming that Meta failed to implement adequate measures to protect underage users like Gavin.

Image Source: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

In July 2022, Gavin started texting an individual posing as a girl on Instagram. The imposter persuaded the teenager to switch to the "vanish mode" in their Instagram chat, enabling messages to automatically disappear after being viewed. Subsequently, after exchanging photos, the perpetrator demanded money from Gavin. Feeling coerced, he sent $25, but the Instagram user insisted on more funds and threatened to leak the explicit photos. Feeling helpless, the young man shot himself to death that evening.

In the aftermath of this incident, Guffey and his other son began receiving private messages on Gavin's Instagram account, demanding money in exchange for explicit photos of the late teenager. Disturbingly, others with the last name "Guffey" on Gavin's followers list received similar messages.

The family soon realized that the teenager had fallen victim to a "sextortion scam" on Instagram. Seeking justice and accountability, Guffey decided to take legal action against Meta, emphasizing the platform's failure to protect vulnerable users from online predators.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media | Photo by Alex Wong | Getty Images
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media | Photo by Alex Wong | Getty Images

The legal action contends that Meta's social media platforms, including Instagram, contribute to various issues affecting children, such as depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders. The lawsuit goes further, alleging that the company deploys algorithms actively targeting adolescents and falls short in safeguarding them from potential harm. The absence of robust safety measures, according to Guffey's legal team, exposes young users to online threats and compromises their mental health.

CEO of Meta listens while testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media | Photo by Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images
CEO of Meta listens while testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media | Photo by Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images

In response to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to teen safety. They highlighted the various resources offered by the company to help young users stay safe on their platforms. "We encourage teens and adults to report suspicious content, activity or accounts to us if they feel unsafe; we reach out to law enforcement in cases of imminent harm," the spokesperson added. However, Brandon's legal team argues that these assurances fall short, pointing to the tragic consequences faced by the Guffey family. 

Source: GettyImages | Bethany Clarke  Stringer
Getty Images | Bethany Clarke Stringer

The legal battle initiated by the South Carolina lawmaker brings to the forefront the broader issues surrounding social media's impact on mental health and online safety, especially among vulnerable age groups. As adolescents increasingly navigate the virtual world, concerns about the role of platforms like Instagram in facilitating harmful activities demand heightened attention. Furthermore, Gavin's case raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of tech companies in preventing the misuse of their platforms for malicious intent. It underscores the need for stringent measures, effective algorithms, and robust tools to safeguard young users from potential online threats.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The owner of the collection of Danny Lyon SNCC Civil Rights Posters was left astonished in the end.
18 hours ago
After Harrison bought a signed speed bag for $250, he happened to meet the star at a dinner.
21 hours ago
The contestant, Doug, had a hard time coming up with a sensible answer.
1 day ago
While Jennings performed a half-baked trick, it still managed to thoroughly entertain the fans.
1 day ago
The player, Andy Schwartz registered the first loss of a car since Seacrest took over as host.
1 day ago
The guest kept his grandparents' antique instruments under his bed for years.
1 day ago
Harris wasn't the only one who came up with an answer that shocked everyone.
2 days ago
Despite getting a high auction estimate, the owner of the Meiji Period lamp chose to keep it.
2 days ago
The player, Gabriel Berkowitz pulled off a perfect night winning over $45,000 and a car.
2 days ago
Harvey showed no mercy after he found out that Sweet Lou Dunbar didn't know how apps work.
3 days ago
The founder of Plop Star made an unforgettable entry and a sad exit from the show.
3 days ago
The host is otherwise quick to reprimand families for backing absurd answers.
3 days ago
While the Marvel comic book fetched a $50,000 appraisal, Harrison felt it was too rich for him.
3 days ago
Jimmy Alexander became the first player to lose a brand-new car on season 43 of the show.
4 days ago
The contestant, Brianne Peterson got extremely unlucky with her letter picks for the final puzzle.
4 days ago
The guest was told that the Jasper Johns Flag Print wouldn't be valuable but it was worth thousands.
5 days ago
It didn’t help that Alvin Rosales was playfully scolded by the host just before losing the Bonus Round.
5 days ago
The photos featured some looks of the show's legendary former host, Alex Trebek, as well.
5 days ago
The player, Kate Stuntz, pulled off a miraculous win to take home over $68,000 and a trip to Iceland.
5 days ago
The owner couldn’t believe the value of Jane Peterson’s "The Floats" gouache painting.
6 days ago