Families of the victims from the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas are seeking justice and taking legal action against tech giants Meta and Activision Blizzard. They are claiming that these corporations played a role in the tragedy by promoting the weapon used in the shooting.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday, alleges that Meta-owned Instagram and the popular Call of Duty game franchise contributed to the marketing of the weapon used by Salvador Ramos in the 2022 shooting that resulted in the loss of 21 lives, including 19 elementary school children. The complaint argues that Instagram allowed gun manufacturer Daniel Defense to reach minors, while Activision’s games encouraged violent behavior in teenage boys.
Meta is specifically targeted for allegedly failing to properly oversee its platforms and allowing gun manufacturers to connect with young users. Although Meta does not permit direct gun advertisements, it does allow companies like Daniel Defense to have profiles on Facebook and Instagram, enabling them to post favorable content about their products and engage users.
Legal actions against video game companies for gun violence are not uncommon, but they rarely succeed. Critics argue that violent games, like those in the Call of Duty franchise, desensitize players and train them for real-world violence. However, there is significant debate among researchers about the validity of such claims. Courts have typically sided with game developers, citing First Amendment protections and a lack of direct evidence linking gaming to actual violence.
In response to the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard expressed sympathy for the families but emphasized that the majority of gamers do not commit violent acts. Meta and Daniel Defense had not yet commented at the time of the report.
The families, represented by the law firm Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, have also filed a separate lawsuit against Daniel Defense in Uvalde County District Court. This law firm has a history of success with similar cases, having previously secured a $73 million settlement from firearms company Remington after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The lawsuit against Remington succeeded despite the challenges posed by federal immunity laws for firearm manufacturers.
Furthermore, the families announced their intention to file a $500 million federal lawsuit against nearly 100 state police officers who were involved in the botched response to the shooting. This case has the potential to challenge Section 230 of the 1998 Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from liability for user content. The Supreme Court recently upheld this provision, maintaining its legal standing in related cases. However, Section 230 frequently faces scrutiny, and any changes to the act or its legal status could significantly impact the internet.
This lawsuit raises important questions about the responsibility of tech companies and their platforms in preventing the promotion of violence and protecting vulnerable users, particularly minors. It also underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of violent video games on real-world behavior. As this case unfolds, it may prompt further discussions and potential changes in legislation to address these concerns.
