New Jersey is suing Discord, alleging that the chat application is guilty of engaging in “deceptive and unconscionable business practices” that compromise the safety of its younger users. The lawsuit was filed following a prolonged investigation by the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, which claims to have found evidence that, despite Discord’s stated policies meant to protect children and teens, the platform continues to expose them to risks.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced that New Jersey is the first state to bring such a lawsuit against Discord. His investigation was triggered by two incidents: a family friend expressing surprise that his 10-year-old son was able to register on Discord, despite the platform’s prohibition on users under 13; and the Buffalo mass shooting, where the shooter utilized Discord to document his thoughts and livestream the event.
The state alleges that Discord has failed in its responsibilities under the Consumer Fraud Act, pointing to its safety policies designed to protect underage users from sexual exploitation and harmful content. Despite the company’s assurances that children under 13 would not be permitted on the platform, the lawsuit argues that their safety measures have proved ineffective.
Discord has implemented various settings aimed at safeguarding children and teens from unwanted communications. However, the New Jersey Attorney General contends that these measures fall short of what is necessary for adequate protection, particularly noting that many of the platform’s default settings do not sufficiently prioritize user safety.
Discord responded to the lawsuit by stating its pride in efforts to enhance child safety on their platform and expressed surprise at the lawsuit given their ongoing collaboration with the Attorney General’s office.
The lawsuit cites instances in which adults allegedly used Discord to exploit minors, including a specific case involving a notorious digital pedophile ring. The Attorney General’s office is seeking remedies that may require Discord to enhance its safety features significantly and might impose financial penalties if the company is found to be negligent.
This case represents a broader trend of legal actions against social media companies for failing to protect minors online. Other states and private law firms have initiated similar lawsuits against Discord, reflecting growing concern about the safety protocols across social media platforms. Attorney General Platkin has pursued multiple lawsuits against social media entities to compel improved child safety measures, underscoring a commitment to holding these companies accountable for the protection of children online.
