The families of three of those murdered in the December, 2015 terror attack in San Bernardino have sued several social media companies, claiming the companies have allowed ISIS and other terrorists to radicalize, recruit, and inspire violence.
Relatives of Sierra Clayborn, Tin Nguyen, and Nicholas Thalasinos filed in the case in federal court Wednesday.
The lawsuit accuses Facebook, Google, and Twitter of aiding and abetting acts of international terrorism by failing to prevent extremist groups from using the networks as an advertising and communications tool.
“For years, Defendants have knowingly and recklessly provided the terrorist group ISIS with accounts to use its social networks as a tool for spreading extremist propaganda, raising funds, and attracting new recruits,” the lawsuit says.
“Defendants share revenue with ISIS for its content and profit from ISIS postings through advertising revenue,” the families claim.
14 people were murdered and 22 others survived with serious injuries after the attack at the Inland Regional Center on December 2, 2015.
One of the terrorists posted a message on Facebook proclaiming her allegiance to ISIS before she and her husband were killed in a shootout with police.
None of the companies named in the suit could be reached for comment late Wednesday.
One of the law firms representing the families has filed other lawsuits against the same social media firms in connection with the murders of several Dallas, Texas police officers and the murders of dozens of people in the Pulse night club in Florida.