A federal judge denied Meta and OnlyFans’ motions to dismiss a class action lawsuit against the company on Wednesday. The case, filed in California federal court, alleges that Meta executives accepted bribes in exchange for preferentially allowing OnlyFans’ creators and their links to remain on its platforms while blacklisting the subscription video site’s competitors.
Both OnlyFans’ parent company, Fenix Internet, and Meta filed motions to dismiss the suit, claiming there was no credible evidence against them. Presiding Judge William Alsup disagreed, however, writing, “Plaintiffs’ claims are plausible. To the extent defendants argue that plaintiffs’ factual allegations are unreliable, that will be tested in discovery.”
In the denial, the judge cited a whistleblower report alleging widespread bribery at Meta, which the social media giant received six months before the suit was filed, and an email purporting to show wire transfers between OnlyFans and Meta executives. Both were first reported by Gizmodo.
Judge Alsup also disagreed with the basis of Meta’s dismissal request, which cited Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that protects internet providers from being treated as publishers, the First Amendment, and a thin legal precedent that companies aren’t liable for their employee’s actions.
“Meta defendants argue they are not liable for the acts of their employees who allegedly participated in the anticompetitive conduct. This order disagrees. It is premature to...
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