BUFFALO, N.Y. — A judge in New York state has denied a motion to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed against several social media platforms for their alleged contribution to the radicalization of Payton Gendron, the gunman responsible for a mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store in 2022. The judge’s decision allows the lawsuit to move forward, according to court documents.
Erie County Supreme Court Justice Paula Feroleto stated that the complaint sufficiently pleads viable causes of action at this stage of the litigation. The plaintiffs argue that social media companies like Meta, Alphabet, Reddit, and 4chan profit from the display of racist, antisemitic, and violent content on their platforms, which maximizes user engagement. They claim that Gendron, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, spent significant time on these platforms, viewing such material.
Attorneys representing the social media companies had filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that they are simply message boards containing third-party content. However, the court document argues that the platforms are more than that. It alleges that they are sophisticated products designed to be addictive to young users and specifically directed Gendron towards platforms and postings that indoctrinated him with white replacement theory.
In her ruling, Judge Feroleto stated that it is too early to dismiss the actions or inaction of the social media and internet defendants through their platforms as a matter of law. The judge’s decision allows the lawsuit to proceed, marking a significant development in the case.
YouTube, one of the platforms named in the lawsuit, expressed sympathy for the victims and families of the attack and emphasized its investment in technology and policies to identify and remove extremist content. While the social media companies plan to appeal the decision, they also reiterate their commitment to working with law enforcement, other platforms, and civil society to share intelligence and implement best practices.
Reddit, when contacted by CNN, emphasized its position against hate and violence, highlighting its sitewide policies that explicitly prohibit content promoting hate or inciting violence. The platform pledges to continuously improve its detection and removal systems to ensure compliance with its rules.
This judge’s ruling sets a new precedent for holding social media companies accountable for the content on their platforms and its potential impact on individuals’ actions. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be closely watched to see how it may influence future legal disputes involving social media and its role in radicalization.