Buffalo, New York – Reddit and Google’s YouTube are facing legal action after a New York state judge ruled that the social media platforms can be held responsible for their alleged role in enabling a white supremacist who killed 10 Black people in a grocery store shooting in 2022. The decision by Justice Paula Feroleto of the Erie County Supreme Court allows 25 plaintiffs, including store employees, customers, and the son of one of the victims, to proceed with lawsuits against the platforms.
The plaintiffs claim that Reddit and YouTube designed their platforms to addict and radicalize users, providing Payton Gendron with the knowledge and tools necessary for his racially motivated attack at Tops Friendly Markets on May 14, 2022. Both platforms have sought to dismiss the suits, arguing that they are not liable under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act or the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, Judge Feroleto ruled that the plaintiffs have the right to argue that Reddit and YouTube had a duty to prevent harm, as their platforms allegedly played a role in facilitating the attack.
The judge also acknowledged the mental distress suffered by witnesses of the shooting, deeming it a “special circumstance” that justifies their claims of negligence. Reddit responded to the ruling by stating that hate and violence have no place on its platform, and that it is committed to constantly evaluating ways to remove such content. YouTube, on the other hand, disagreed with the decision and plans to appeal. The platform expressed its sympathy for the victims and their families, highlighting its efforts to identify and remove extremist conduct while cooperating with law enforcement.
The lawsuits were filed by the gun control advocacy group Everytown Law, which seeks civil damages for the victims of the attack. Its executive director, Eric Tirschwell, emphasized the need to hold accountable all those who contributed to the shooter’s ability to target and kill members of Buffalo’s Black community. Additional defendants in the cases include Alphabet, Google, retailers accused of selling firearm equipment to Gendron, and his parents.
In February 2023, Gendron pleaded guilty to charges including murder and terrorism motivated by hate, receiving a sentence of life in prison without parole. He also faces federal charges, and the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans in January to seek the death penalty.
It is worth noting that the timing of the judge’s decision appears unrelated to Reddit’s impending initial public offering, expected to be priced on Wednesday. Both the social media platform and YouTube will now have to navigate the legal process as they face these lawsuits and attempt to defend their involvement in a tragedy that shocked the Buffalo community.