Omegle, the chat site that matches users with random strangers, is deep in a lawsuit wherein an 11-year-old met with a man who later sexually abused her. A Portland, Oregon judge has now ruled that Omegle can indeed be held responsible for the harm created by its platform, a ruling that challenges the Section 230 protections often used as a defense by internet companies.
The judge’s decision, which personal injury lawyer Carrie Goldberg published in full in a set of threaded tweets, boils down to a conversation over Omegle’s core functions. Omegle’s very purpose is to pair visitors with strangers around the world — a function that comes with obvious risks.
