Snapchat Sued for Spamming Do-Not-Call Numbers

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Snapchat violated the TCPA by sending unsolicited telemarketing texts to numbers on the Do-Not-Call Registry.

Consumers Affected: Consumers in the U.S. who received unsolicited texts from Snapchat while their number was on the Do-Not-Call Registry.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Portland Division

Snapchat ignores the federal Do-Not-Call Registry and bombards thousands of people with unwanted telemarketing text messages, a new lawsuit claims. 

The lawsuit, filed by Oregon resident Nathan King, claims Snapchat violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) by sending unsolicited texts to numbers on the registry to drive app downloads and boost its user base.

Snapchat User Received Unwanted Texts Despite Being on Do-Not-Call Registry

King, who lives in Happy Valley, Oregon, registered his personal phone number on the Do-Not-Call Registry in October 2023 to avoid intrusive marketing communications, according to the lawsuit. 

Despite this, he received at least 14 text messages from Snapchat encouraging him to download the app and create an account. King says he has never used Snapchat, never provided his number to the company, and explicitly tried to avoid such communications.

The texts, King alleges, disrupted his privacy and diminished his enjoyment of life. He alleges that Snapchat’s primary goal was not sharing content but recruiting new users to monetize through in-app purchases and advertisements, and he says dozens of other people have also experienced similar spam from Snapchat.

TCPA Protects Consumers from Unwanted Telemarketing

The TCPA, enacted in 1991, protects consumers from unwanted and invasive telemarketing practices. It limits the use of automated dialing systems, pre-recorded messages, and text messages for telemarketing. The law also established the national Do-Not-Call Registry, allowing individuals to opt out of telemarketing calls and texts.

The TCPA is a strict liability law, meaning companies can be held accountable for violations regardless of intent. Consumers can file complaints with the Federal Communications Commission or pursue lawsuits for damages. The TCPA’s primary purpose is to safeguard privacy and reduce the nuisance of unsolicited communications.

Other Companies Face TCPA Lawsuits

King’s case against Snapchat adds to growing pressure on companies to respect consumer privacy and comply with the TCPA. It is far from the only company facing legal action for allegedly violating the TCPA. Similar lawsuits against several other businesses include:

• Yelp: Accused of making unsolicited telemarketing calls to numbers on the Do-Not-Call Registry.
• Temu: Alleged to have sent spam text messages to consumers on the registry.
• Office Depot: Accused of continuing to send texts even after consumers opted out.
• Navient: A lawsuit claims it made repeated, unwanted robocalls to borrowers, including at workplaces.

Some companies have faced costly settlements for alleged TCPA violations, including Citibank which recently agreed to pay $29.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit over unsolicited debt collection robocalls.

In his lawsuit, King wants to represent anyone in the US who was contacted by Snapchat uninitiated in the last four years while their number was on the Do Not Call Registry. He is seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: King v. Snapchat Inc.
• Case Number: 3:24-cv-01869-SI
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Portland Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Scott Hite (LawHQ, P.C.)

Have you received unwanted texts from Snapchat? Share your experience in the comments below.