Google Dodges Video Game Loot Box Gambling Suit, for Now

Google LLC shook off for now a proposed class suit alleging it unlawfully entices children and adults to gamble through purchases of “loot boxes” in downloaded video games, as a California federal court said the company is shielded by the Communications Decency Act based on the current complaint.

Section 230 of the CDA protects internet platforms from liability for publishing others’ speech. But the plaintiffs, an adult gamer and a parent whose child allegedly spent the parent’s money, may amend their complaints. It’s possible the plaintiffs could show that Google’s conduct goes beyond the mere publishing of third-party content, the ...