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
Ozark Trail 64 oz Water Bottles were recalled after the lids of faulty bottles forcefully ejected.
4 hours ago
The player laughed and giggled her way through the puzzles to win prizes worth over $57,000.
5 hours ago
Scott Riccardi placed an unbelievable wager during Final Jeopardy! to win a massive amount in a day!
7 hours ago
The guest got a 200% return on investment on her sculpture that she bought from Macy's.
8 hours ago
Jennings had a record-setting winning streak as a contestant before he became the host.
1 day ago
The player, Ron Wheeler, tragically got no clues after his letter picks for the final puzzle.
1 day ago
The former kids champion, Skyler Hornback knew what was coming.
1 day ago
The fans took issue with the clue being too tough and unnecessary for the contestants.
2 days ago
Cuban wanted to strike a deal with the founder of Coconut Girl and gave her an ultimatum.
2 days ago
Although the word did make a lot of difference, some fans felt that the decision was ridiculous.
2 days ago
The guest, who found the item online, didn't think it was the real deal until he heard its value.
3 days ago
The player Samantha secured the first big win of Ryan Seacrest's run on the show.
3 days ago
The sisters wanted to keep their father's legacy alive, but also had their careers to focus on.
3 days ago
The shopper noticed that the watermelon which she bought three days ago was deflated.
3 days ago
The guest couldn't believe that her collection was worth so much money.
4 days ago
While all the Sharks were out, Mark Cuban saw the potential in "Garage Celebrations."
5 days ago
The loss was ironic as the retired teacher coulnd't get a phrase commonly used in classrooms.
5 days ago
The recalls were issued for a range of products including tires, air conditioners and power banks.
5 days ago
The guest who got the item as a gift from a neighbor had little to no idea about its significance.
5 days ago
Harrison got a good deal for the fossil although it wasn't what he had thought.
6 days ago