Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, has been sued for the murder of a federal security guard in 2020, a move aimed at challenging a federal statute that holds websites and social media platforms accountable for users’ posts.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the guard’s sister, Angela Underwood Jacobs, argued that Facebook was responsible for connecting individuals trying to harm law enforcement and sparking civil disputes. Jacobs’ brother Dave Patrick Underwood, who was serving in a federal building and courthouse in Oakland, California, was shot dead by an Air Force sergeant with anti-government ties in May 2020. according to the FBI
The shooting was the culmination of an extremist conspiracy conceived and planned at Facebook by two men Meta linked using Facebook’s group infrastructure and algorithms aimed at increasing user engagement. complaintfiled in Alameda County Superior Court in Alameda, California.
Suit is the ultimate challenge Chapter 230 The Communications Ethics Act, a 25-year-old law that protects internet companies and websites from being liable for their users’ posts. Unlike publishers, internet companies or website operators are protected by this law.
Jacobs argued that Facebook has become a breeding ground for extremist content and hosts groups that “openly advocate violence, discuss tactical strategies, combat drugs and the benefits of certain weapons, and share information about building explosive devices.” In the case, the company also recommendation algorithms It drew like-minded anti-government extremists to these groups, including men involved in his brother’s death.
Sergeant, Steven CarilloHe was charged with murder and attempted murder, and Robert Justus, the man with whom he went to Oakland, was charged with aiding and abetting murder and attempted murder. Both pleaded not guilty.
“We have banned more than 1,000 militarized social movements from our platform and are working closely with experts to address the broader problem of internet radicalization,” Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement. “These allegations have no legal basis.”
