Snapchat is facing a lawsuit after one of its users allegedly caused a high-speed crash while playing with the app’s speed filter, which shows users how fast they’re travelling.
Both Snapchat and 18-year-old Christal McGee are named in the lawsuit, submitted on April 19 in Georgia by Wentworth and Karen Maynard.
According to the filing, the pair were travelling in their car when McGee – allegedly distracted by her phone – collided with them while travelling at approximately 107 miles per hour (172 kilometres per hour).
Wentworth suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the crash.
McGee was allegedly playing with Snapchat’s speed filter, which uses GPS technology to show users approximately how fast they are travelling while taking a picture or video within the app.
This is what it looks like in the app:
According to the filing, McGee accelerated her Mercedes from the speed limit of 55 mph to 80 mph and eventually to over 100 mph in order to achieve a Snapchat “trophy.”
The lawsuit alleges Snapchat is partially responsible for the crash because there had been prior incidences of users causing accidents while using the speed filter.
“Snapchat knew that wrecks had occurred due to the use of Snapchat’s app while driving at high speed,” reads the document.
“Despite Snapchat’s actual knowledge of the danger from using its product’s speed filter while driving at excessive speeds, Snapchat did not remove or restrict access to the speed filter.”
The app does issue users a warning not to use the filter while they are driving.
Snapchat’s terms of service also states, “Do not use ours services in a way that would distract you from obeying traffic or safety laws. And never put yourself or others in harm’s way just to capture a snap.” The filter itself contains a small warning that says “don’t snap and drive.”