Buffalo, New York – Reddit and Google’s YouTube are facing legal action following a judge’s decision in New York state to allow lawsuits against them for their alleged role in enabling a white supremacist to carry out a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store in 2022. The judge ruled that 25 plaintiffs could move forward in their claims against the social media platforms, alleging that they played a role in radicalizing the shooter.
The plaintiffs, which include store employees, customers, and family members of those affected by the shooting, contend that Reddit and YouTube provided a platform for the shooter to access extremist content and training, leading to the tragic events at Tops Friendly Markets. Both Reddit and YouTube argued that they were not responsible for the third-party content posted on their platforms, citing legal protections under the Communications Decency Act.
Judge Paula Feroleto highlighted the plaintiffs’ argument that the platforms had a duty to prevent harm caused by addictive and radicalizing content. She also acknowledged the mental distress experienced by witnesses of the shooting as a significant factor in allowing negligence-based claims to proceed. In response, Reddit emphasized its commitment to removing hate and violence from its platform, while YouTube expressed its disagreement with the court’s decision and plans to appeal.
The lawsuits were filed by Everytown Law, a gun control advocacy group, seeking civil damages and accountability for those who contributed to the shooter’s actions. Among the defendants named in the lawsuits are Alphabet, Google, retailers who allegedly sold equipment to the shooter, and his parents. The shooter, Payton Gendron, pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting and was sentenced to life in prison without parole, with potential federal charges looming, including the possibility of the death penalty.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case raises important questions about the role of social media platforms in regulating harmful content and their potential liability for violence incited on their platforms. The outcome of these lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for the responsibility of tech companies in preventing the spread of extremism and protecting public safety.