San Diego County introduced a new Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Division and filed three lawsuits in San Diego Superior Court on Oct. 5, the county’s Communications Office said; the announcement describes the action as the division’s first move to hold companies accountable for unlawful business practices.
The county named the three lawsuits People v. AppLovin Corporation, People v. Roblox Corporation and People v. Polymaker and laid out the allegations and remedies sought.
The county alleges AppLovin allowed inappropriate advertising content to appear in children’s gaming apps despite parental controls and collected data from minors even when parents opted out; the complaint seeks injunctive relief and asserts claims for unfair business practices and false advertising.
The county accuses Roblox of failing to adequately protect minors from predatory behavior on the platform; the complaint seeks injunctive relief, restitution, abatement and civil penalties.
The county alleges Polymaker marketed 3D‑printing filament for manufacturing untraceable firearms, commonly called ghost guns; the complaint seeks disgorgement of profits, civil penalties and injunctive relief.
“People should be able to trust the products they buy, the apps their kids use and the companies they deal with,” County Board of Supervisors Chair said; she framed the new unit as a response to consumer harms and risks to children.
“The mission of the Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Unit is straightforward: when bad actors or unlawful business practices put our children, our families, and our communities at risk, this office is here to act,” County Counsel Damon Brown said, and Assistant County Counsel Alysson Snow said the Board of Supervisors empowered the division to move quickly.
The county said the unit will monitor high‑risk areas, investigate misconduct and pursue legal remedies on behalf of residents; if the suits succeed they could produce injunctions, restitution or penalties for the defendants. The Office of County Counsel provides legal advice to the county and said its attorneys will staff the new division.
Local
Terra Lawson-Remer
Supervisor, Third District, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Named once in this story.
Portrait: County of San Diego / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Sources & methodology
This report was written from the primary materials below. Links open at the original publisher.
County of San DiegoSee something we should correct? Read our corrections policy.