Snap Inc. products liability case

McDermott Weaver Connelly Clifford LLP is Oregon counsel to Snap Inc., maker of Snapchat, in a products liability case. 

The case seeks to hold Snap and Meta Platforms, Inc. (maker of Facebook/Instagram) liable for damages allegedly suffered by an adolescent girl and her mother based on the supposedly “addicting” nature of defendants’ respective apps and services and alleged discrimination in those products’ algorithms. The case raises unique theories of product liability, as well as incorporating novel interpretations of Oregon’s anti-discrimination laws. Plaintiffs seek damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief, expert fees, and attorney fees.

Before answering, Snap moved to transfer the District of Oregon case to the Central District of California. Magistrate Judge Clarke recommended that Snap's motion be denied. The case was then stayed pending a motion filed by a plaintiff in a different action requesting that the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transfer and coordinate this case with others alleging similar claims against Meta and other social media platforms. The JPML consolidated the cases in the Northern District of California.