Families of the victims of the Buffalo Massacre have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several social media companies, including Meta, Reddit, and Google. The lawsuit alleges that the platforms are responsible for the gunman’s radicalization and the spread of racist conspiracy theories that ultimately led to the attack.
The lawsuit, filed in the New York Supreme Court, also names other defendants, such as Vintage Firearms and RMA Armament, the gun store and online retailer that supplied the shooter with a firearm and body armor. The plaintiffs are seeking both financial damages and changes to the companies’ safety standards, claiming that the platforms are defective and unreasonably dangerous.
According to the lawsuit, the perpetrator, Peyton Gendron, was not racist until he became addicted to social media apps and was exposed to a constant stream of racist and white supremacist propaganda. Gendron planned the attack for months and specifically targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood. He livestreamed the shooting on Twitch and shared videos and images of the gruesome scene online afterward.
The role of social media in radicalizing individuals and spreading conspiracy theories has been a growing concern, especially with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has shown that platforms like Facebook could push conspiracy content to users aligning with conservative views within a matter of days.
While social media companies have taken steps to address these issues, such as Reddit cracking down on conspiracy communities, the lawsuit argues that more needs to be done to regulate social media platforms effectively.
It is important to note that the social media companies mentioned in the lawsuit have not yet responded to requests for comment.
In conclusion, the families of the Buffalo Massacre victims are seeking accountability from social media companies, alleging that their platforms played a pivotal role in radicalizing the gunman. The lawsuit highlights the need for stronger safety standards and regulations for social media platforms to prevent the spread of harmful content and conspiracy theories.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the court will evaluate the plaintiffs’ claims and what impact this lawsuit may have on the future of social media regulation. The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for holding these platforms accountable for the content shared on their platforms.
