Lawyers representing Meta, the parent company of Instagram, argued in a legal proceeding on Tuesday that they should not be held liable for gun manufacturer posts on the social media platform in a lawsuit brought by families of the Uvalde school shooting victims. The lawsuit alleges that Instagram facilitated the promotion of firearms to minors by gun makers. The legal defense contends that Meta cannot be held accountable for the content posted by third parties on its platform.

The case raises complex legal questions regarding the responsibility of social media companies for the content shared on their platforms. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future cases involving online platforms and the regulation of content. The argument put forth by Meta’s lawyers underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the role and accountability of technology companies in moderating user-generated content.

While the families of the Uvalde school shooting victims seek accountability from Instagram for allegedly enabling gun manufacturers to target minors with firearm promotions, Meta’s defense team maintains that the company cannot be faulted for the actions of individual users or content creators. The legal battle highlights the challenges in determining the boundaries of liability for social media platforms in cases involving controversial or harmful content.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Meta declined to provide further comments on the ongoing legal proceedings. The case underscores the complex legal landscape surrounding online platforms and their role in regulating potentially harmful content. As the legal dispute unfolds, the outcome will likely have implications for the broader debate on the responsibilities of tech companies in addressing contentious issues such as the promotion of firearms to vulnerable audiences.