Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has settled a social media addiction lawsuit shortly before trial. The case was scheduled to begin in Los Angeles.
Lawyers announced the settlement during a California Superior Court hearing. The company later said all sides resolved the dispute amicably. The settlement terms were not made public.
Major Platforms Still Face Jury
Other defendants include Meta, which owns Instagram, TikTok owner ByteDance, and Google parent Alphabet. None of these companies have settled the case.
The lawsuit was filed by a 19-year-old woman identified as K.G.M. She alleged that platform algorithms caused addiction and harmed her mental health.
With no agreements reached, the trial will continue against the remaining companies. Jury selection is set to begin on 27 January.
Executives Expected in Courtroom
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify during the trial. Snap chief executive Evan Spiegel had also been expected to appear before the settlement.
Meta, TikTok, and Alphabet did not respond to media requests seeking comment on the agreement.
Snap remains a defendant in other social media addiction lawsuits. Courts have combined those cases into a single legal action.
Key Legal Defense Under Pressure
The closely watched lawsuits could weaken a long-used legal defense for social media companies.
Companies argue Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act protects them from liability. They say the law shields platforms from responsibility for user content.
Plaintiffs argue platform designs actively encourage addiction. They focus on algorithms and notifications that shape user behavior.
Social media companies reject responsibility for alleged harms. They say evidence does not prove links to depression or eating disorders.
