Snapchat CEO to Answer Questions in Lawsuit Over Speed Filter

Snapchat’s Speed Filter Controversy

• Snapchat’s current CEO must answer questions about his company’s speed filter as part of a lawsuit into a
  high-speed 2015 crash in Georgia.
• Christal McGee was travelling at 107 mph when she smashed into Wentworth Maynard, leaving him with a
  permanent brain injury.
• Snapchat withdrew the controversial filter, which superimposes your speed over what the phone’s camera
  sees, in 2021.

The company behind the popular social media app Snapchat is facing ongoing criticism due to its controversial
Speed Filter, despite withdrawing the feature in 2021. Recently, a Judge in Georgia ruled that Snapchat’s
current CEO, Evan Spiegel, must face questions in a lawsuit brought against a woman who severely injured
another driver in a high-speed crash while allegedly using the app.

The Speed Filter on Snapchat was a digital speedometer that overlaid the user’s smartphone camera image. It
was introduced in 2013 and quickly gained popularity among both passengers and drivers, who shared images of
their car’s speed. However, this feature has been associated with dangerous driving behavior.

The Tragic Accident

In September 2015, Christal McGee crashed her Mercedes into Karen and Wentworth Maynard’s SUV. The Maynards
had turned out of their apartment complex onto Tara Boulevard in Spalding County, a 55 mph zone, when they
were struck by McGee’s car. Crash reconstruction experts estimate that McGee was traveling at 107 mph at the
time of the collision. It is alleged that McGee told her passengers that she was attempting to reach a
triple-digit speed and share the result on Snapchat.

As a result of the crash, Wentworth Maynard was left in a coma and spent five weeks in intensive care. He now
suffers from a permanent brain injury. The Maynards are suing Snapchat, claiming that the social media
company played a part in the tragedy.

Snapchat CEO’s Involvement

The judge in the case wants to hear from Evan Spiegel, Snapchat’s CEO, as he was one of the key individuals
involved in the conception of the Speed Filter. Spiegel is also responsible for removing the feature in
2021. Snapchat argues that McGee, who was 19 at the time of the accident, ignored the app’s warnings against
using it while driving.