Social media platforms were first introduced in the 90s and grew in popularity over the decades. Today, everyone uses social media to stay in touch with friends, follow their favorite celebrities, and stay updated on the latest trends. The biggest platforms today are TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, to name a few.
However, it is no secret that the use of social media has brought many problems to people on a personal and societal level.
In this article, we will explore the various social media lawsuits against Instagram and the possible implications for users.
Violation of Privacy
To begin with, the parent company of Instagram, Meta, has faced many allegations over the years about its illegal use of user data. The company sold user data to third parties without their knowledge or consent, which is against privacy laws. Lawsuits filed against the company ended with the federal government placing a fine of over a million dollars on the company.
However, the company has continued to blatantly use users’ data against their wishes or without their knowledge. Lawsuits filed in the last decade allege that Instagram used user data, such as their browsing history and location data, even when users had not consented to doing so.
Effect on Mental Health
The next well-known effect of social media usage is on people’s mental health. Tech companies developed these applications in a manner that makes people addicted. Despite lawsuits against many companies like Instagram over the years, they have not changed their algorithms and continue to build exploitative software.
Parents of many teens have filed lawsuits against the tech giant after their children developed severe mental health disorders from using social media applications like Instagram. Children and teens were reported to have developed suicidal tendencies, like self-harming, severe depression, anorexia, and other disorders, preventing them from leading a normal life.
Failure to Moderate Harmful Content
Finally, the last point that we will discuss in this article is the failure of major tech companies to regulate their content. Free speech has been a raging debate in America, and the failure to regulate online posts has bitterly divided the country. Lawsuits have been brought against companies like Instagram for the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and targeted abuse.
People are free to post their thoughts on social media platforms, which include harmful and hateful content. While social media platforms claim to have moderators who take down these types of posts, it doesn’t seem to be working, leading to the spread of conspiracy theories and damaging people’s mental health and livelihoods.
What You Can Do
Many lawsuits against these companies have been successful in the past, and there are a few class action lawsuits that are still open. If you’re a victim of social media addiction or other incidents mentioned above, you have a legal option. You should hire a good lawyer to represent your case because it’s not easy to take on these giant corporations, and specialized knowledge of mass lawsuits is necessary to navigate this.
Final Thoughts
The spate of lawsuits against Instagram has shown the company’s blatant disregard for users, and the company hasn’t seemed to change its goals. Lawsuits have been brought in all corners of the country by concerned parents and organizations that have suffered at the hands of social media, resulting in deteriorating mental health, illegal use of private information, or danger to their lives.
If you, like thousands of these plaintiffs, have been wronged by social media companies, you should hire a good lawyer and join a class action lawsuit against them. It is your right to receive compensation for the damage you have suffered, and it is necessary to hold big corporations accountable for their actions.