Tracker Detail
Megan Garcia v. Character Technologies, Et Al.
Name | Type | Government | Date Initiated | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Megan Garcia v. Character Technologies, Et Al. | Litigation | United States | Oct 23, 2024 | Motion to Dismiss Denied | May 21, 2025 |
Summary
The Social Media Victims Law Center and the Tech Justice Law Project filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, the company's two cofounders, and Google, on behalf of a parent whose 14-year-old, Sewell Setzer III, took his life after interacting with and becoming dependent on role-playing AI "characters" offered by the company.
The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, claims that Character.AI knew the design of its app was dangerous and would be harmful to a significant number of minors, failed to exercise reasonable care for minors on its app, and deliberately targeted underage kids. The action was brought against Character.AI for “strict product liability, negligence per se, negligence, wrongful death and survivorship, loss of filial consortium, unjust enrichment, violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and intentional infliction of emotional distress,” among others.
Updates
November 9, 2024. First amended complaint filed.
May 21, 2025. The District Court denied in part and granted in part a motion to dismiss the case filed by Character.Ai, enabling the case to move forward.
Additional Resources
Garcia v. Character Technologies, Inc. (6:24-cv-01903) - CourtListener
