Apple, Google, Meta Must Face Trial On Gambling App Promotion

Illustration of Apple, Google, and Meta s (photoo dock. india times)

JAKARTA - Apple, Google, and Meta have all been rejected by their requests to drop a new class action lawsuit accusing them of promoting illegal gambling.

There are several lawsuits that continue against Apple regarding gambling applications on the App Store, where a class action lawsuit filed in 2020, and then separately also in 2020. This new ruling is part of a sustainable case that seeks to describe Apple, Meta, and Google as bookies.

Previously citing "extraordinary situation," US Judge Edward J. Davisa allowed the companies to appeal against the case that made the difference. Although Judge Davila has rejected certain elements of the case, he refuses the motion to reject everything.

"The bottom line from the plaintiffs' theory is that the defendants improperly process payments for social casino applications," Davisa wrote in his decision, quoted by VOI from Reuters. "Whether that activity turns the defendants into dealers or brokers, that's not a major problem."

Each of the three companies basically based their appeal on Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act. This law protects online platforms from being held accountable for third-party content, which is maintained by these companies, thus protecting them from being filed.

None of the three companies has publicly responded to the ruling. Likewise, lawyers for plaintiffs, although the plaintiffs previously accused the companies of triggering depression and thoughts of suicide.

Due to the significance of the Part 230 issue, Judge Davisa's decision allowed an appeal. Apple, Google, and Meta can now file such an appeal to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

However, the court had previously rejected previous appeals, arguing that it had no jurisdiction as class action cases were too widespread. In 2020, the Supreme Court also declined to hear Section 230 in general. This ruling shows that cases against Apple, Google, and Meta will continue.