Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday sued Snap Inc. on Aug. 25, 2026, in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
The state alleges Snapchat harms teens through addictive design and deceptive safety claims tied to its 13-plus positioning. The 13-plus label refers to app-store age ratings that signal the youngest suitable audience. According to 90.5 WESA, the filing targets both the rating and repeated-use design the WESA account of the filing. The focus is teens ages 13 to 17.
Table of Contents
- Why is the 13-plus rating central?
- Which features does Pennsylvania call addictive?
- How has Snap responded?
- Can families file for compensation now?
Why is the 13-plus rating central?
Pennsylvania alleges Snap markets Snapchat as safe for users as young as 13. According to 2822 News, the complaint says Snap knows minors encounter sexual content, nudity, suicidal ideation and drug use.
The state connects that marketing to the age label users see before download. According to Fox Business, information supplied by Snap leads to a 13-plus rating in Apple's App Store and a T for Teen rating in Google Play and Microsoft stores the Fox Business report on the store ratings.
Which features does Pennsylvania call addictive?
The complaint names SnapStreaks with flame icons, disappearing messages, infinite scroll, push notifications, autoplay and Snapscores. According to TechRepublic, the state describes them as repeated-use loops that drive compulsive teen use the TechRepublic breakdown of the targeted features. Bloomberg Tax quotes Sunday saying Snapchat was designed to lure children into constant, compulsive use that harms healthy adolescent development.
The state ties longer engagement to advertising revenue. The Attorney General's office points to heavy teen use. Explore Jefferson PA cites Pew Research Center data that about half of teens 13 to 17 use Snapchat daily and about 13 percent use it almost constantly.
How has Snap responded?
Snap disputed the claims the same day they were filed. PhillyVoice reports Snap said the claims fundamentally misrepresent its platform and approach to teen safety.
The company pointed to Snapchat's basic structure. It said Snapchat opens to a camera and centers communication among friends, rather than open public scrolling.
Can families file for compensation now?
Pennsylvania seeks a ruling that Snap violated the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. According to Law Commentary, the state also seeks penalties, injunctions, design changes and clearer app-store disclosures the Law Commentary summary of the requested relief.
That request makes this an enforcement case, not a consumer settlement. No payout, claim form or eligibility period has been announced, and no court has found the claims proven. Families watching for compensation can take practical steps now:.
- Save the app version, account notices and any parental-control settings.
- Keep records of purchases, time restrictions or harm-related care tied to teen use.
- Watch the Attorney General's announcements for a settlement or claims process.
You Might Also Like
- Louisiana sues Snapchat and Discord over child exploitation on apps
- Connecticut Attorney General Escalates Lawsuit Against Kalshi Over Sports Gambling
- Minnesota Collects $214 Million from Meta Settlement