In the latest blow to Twitter, a minor alleges they were coerced into making an explicit video. The allegations are that a request was made to Twitter to remove the video of them, that was uploaded by an adult, and that Twitter refused to remove the content citing it did not violate their policies.

Synopsis:

Case 3:21-cv-00485-JCS Document [download] 1 Filed 01/20/21 Page 1 of 79

COMPLAINT FOR:
(1) BENEFITING FROM A SEX TRAFFICKING VENTURE IN VIOLATION OF THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591 and 1595;
(2) VIOLATION OF DUTY TO REPORT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL, 18 U.S.C. § 2258A;
(3) RECEIPT AND DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, 18 U.S.C. § 2252A;
(4) CALIFORNIA PRODUCTS LIABILITY;
(5) NEGLIGENCE;
(6) GROSS NEGLIGENCE;
(7) NEGLIGENCE PER SE;
(8) NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS;
(9) DISTRIBUTION OF PRIVATE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIALS, CAL. CIV. CODE § 1708.85;
(10) INTRUSION INTO PRIVATE AFFAIRS;
(11) INVASION OF PRIVACY UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I, SECTION I.

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

COMPLAINT

This is a civil action for damages under the federal Trafficking Victims’ Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591 and 1595, Failure to Report Child Sexual Abuse Material, 18 U.S.C. § 2258A, Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A, and related state law claims arising from Defendant’s conduct when it knowingly hosted sexual exploitation material, including child sex abuse material (referred to in some instances as child pornography), and allowed human trafficking and the dissemination of child sexual abuse material to continue on its platform, therefore profiting from the harmful and exploitive material and the traffic it draws.