AWDTSG Lawsuits: Major Cases and What They Mean for You [2026]

The legal landscape around Are We Dating the Same Guy groups is evolving rapidly. In 2024 and 2025, several major lawsuits challenged AWDTSG groups, their administrators, and the platform that hosts them. These cases have established important precedents — and revealed the significant limitations — of using the legal system to address AWDTSG posts.

Whether you’re considering a lawsuit, evaluating your legal rights, or simply trying to understand the options, this guide covers the major AWDTSG cases, what they mean, and how they should inform your removal strategy.

The Three Landmark AWDTSG Cases

Three cases stand out as the most significant legal actions involving AWDTSG groups. Each tested a different legal theory, targeted a different type of defendant, and produced a different outcome. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of where AWDTSG litigation stands in 2026.

Case 1: D’Ambrosio v. Meta (Chicago, 2024-2025)

The Background

In 2024, a Chicago man identified as D’Ambrosio filed suit against Meta Platforms, Inc. — the parent company of Facebook — alleging that the platform was liable for defamatory content posted about him in a Chicago-area AWDTSG group.

The complaint centered on a novel legal theory: that Meta’s hosting of AWDTSG groups violated the Illinois Anti-Doxing Act, a state law that prohibits the publication of personally identifiable information with the intent to threaten or harass. D’Ambrosio argued that by allowing AWDTSG groups to operate, Meta was facilitating the publication of men’s personal information — names, photos, workplaces, neighborhoods — in a context designed to damage their reputations.

The case attracted significant attention because it represented the first major attempt to hold the platform itself — rather than individual posters — responsible for AWDTSG content.

The Legal Theory

D’Ambrosio’s legal team advanced several arguments:

Illinois Anti-Doxing Act. The complaint alleged that AWDTSG posts constituted “doxing” under Illinois law by publishing personal information (photos, names, identifying details) with the effect of subjecting the individual to harassment and reputational harm.

Platform liability beyond Section 230. The argument attempted to carve an exception to Section 230 by framing Meta’s role not as a passive platform hosting user content, but as an active facilitator of a system designed to harm specific individuals.

Knowledge and inaction. The complaint alleged that Meta knew AWDTSG groups routinely hosted defamatory content and chose to allow the groups to continue operating for commercial reasons (user engagement and advertising revenue).

The Outcome

The case was largely dismissed in 2025. The court held that:

Section 230 applied. Meta’s role as a platform hosting user-generated content fell squarely within Section 230’s safe harbor protections. The court found no basis for treating AWDTSG groups differently from any other user-created Facebook group. All AWDTSG posts fall under Facebook’s Community Standards, including their Bullying and Harassment Policy.

The Anti-Doxing Act didn’t override Section 230. While the Illinois Anti-Doxing Act creates liability for individuals who dox others, the court held that it does not create liability for platforms that host doxing content. Section 230 preempts state laws that attempt to impose platform liability for user content.

Meta’s knowledge was insufficient. The court found that general knowledge that AWDTSG groups exist and sometimes contain harmful content did not transform Meta from a passive host into an active participant in the alleged harm.

What D’Ambrosio Means for You

You cannot effectively sue Facebook for hosting AWDTSG content. Section 230 remains a formidable shield for platforms. Until federal legislation changes Section 230 (which is being discussed in Congress but hasn’t happened), the platform itself is not a viable defendant.

State anti-doxing laws have limited reach. While these laws can be powerful against individual posters, they don’t create a backdoor to platform liability.

Your claims must target individual posters. The legal system points you toward the people who actually created and posted the defamatory content — not the platform that hosted it.

Every hour that post stays up, more people screenshot and share it. Our professional team removes AWDTSG and Facebook group posts every day. Get a free case review now.

Don’t Wait for Legal Precedent — Act Now

⚠️ Lawsuits take 6-24 months. Your AWDTSG post is doing damage right now. While the legal system evolves, professional removal works diligently with proven success. Get your free consultation today.

Case 2: Murrey v. Does (Los Angeles, 2024-2025)

The Background

Murrey v. Does took a fundamentally different approach. Instead of suing the platform, a Los Angeles man identified as Murrey filed suit against more than 50 anonymous members of an LA-area AWDTSG group. The complaint alleged defamation, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy.

The case received significant media coverage, with reports from NPR, the LA Times, and numerous legal blogs. It became a flashpoint in the broader cultural debate about AWDTSG groups — are they safety tools for women or anonymous defamation platforms?

The Scale

What made Murrey v. Does exceptional was its scope:

50+ defendants. Rather than suing a single poster, Murrey’s legal team targeted dozens of group members who had commented on, shared, or amplified the original post. The legal theory was that each person who added defamatory comments or shared the content was independently liable.

John/Jane Doe defendants. Because AWDTSG members use their personal Facebook profiles, the defendants were initially identified by their Facebook display names. Murrey’s team filed subpoenas to Meta demanding the real identities behind those profiles.

Discovery battles. Meta initially resisted the subpoenas, arguing that disclosing user identities would chill free expression. The court ultimately ordered Meta to comply with some but not all subpoena requests, requiring Murrey to demonstrate a prima facie defamation claim before unmasking each defendant.

The Key Legal Issues

Anonymous speech protections. Courts generally protect anonymous speech under the First Amendment. To unmask anonymous defendants, plaintiffs must meet heightened standards — typically demonstrating that their claims have substantive merit before discovery is permitted.

Defamation vs. opinion. A central fight in Murrey was distinguishing between actionable false statements of fact and protected expressions of opinion. Comments like “he’s the worst guy I’ve ever dated” are likely protected opinion. Claims like “he gave me a sexually transmitted disease” or “he was arrested for assault” are provably false factual assertions — and potentially actionable.

Group liability. The case tested whether sharing, liking, or commenting on a defamatory post creates independent liability. Different jurisdictions treat this differently, and the issue remains unsettled.

The Media Dimension

The NPR and LA Times coverage of Murrey v. Does added a complicating dimension. The lawsuit itself became a news story, which meant:

• Murrey’s name became publicly associated with the AWDTSG controversy
• The allegations from the AWDTSG post received broader distribution through news coverage
• The cultural debate framed Murrey’s lawsuit in terms of “man suing women for talking about their dating experiences” — a narrative that generated public sympathy for the defendants
• Defense attorneys used the media narrative to pressure for settlement or dismissal

What Murrey Means for You

Suing individual posters is legally viable but practically complex. Identifying anonymous posters requires subpoenas, court orders, and significant legal expense before you can even name your defendants.

Scope creates cost. Pursuing 50+ defendants means 50+ sets of legal motions, discovery requests, and potential depositions. Costs escalate rapidly and can easily exceed $100,000.

Media coverage is a double-edged sword. If your case attracts press attention, the lawsuit itself can amplify the very content you’re trying to suppress.

The Streisand Effect is real. Some AWDTSG posts that would have faded from memory become permanent internet fixtures because the lawsuit drew public attention to them.

Settlement is the realistic outcome. Most multi-defendant AWDTSG lawsuits, if they proceed, end in individual settlements where defendants agree to remove content and refrain from future posting. These settlements are often confidential.

You don’t have to wait for Facebook to act — they won’t. Professional removal works through legal compliance channels that get results. Talk to our team today — the consultation is free and confidential.

Case 3: Belliveau v. Quinlan (Canada, 2025)

The Background

While not a US case, Belliveau v. Quinlan has significant implications for the AWDTSG legal landscape globally — and may preview where US courts are heading. The case was heard in Canada in 2025 and addressed a question that US courts haven’t definitively answered: can AWDTSG group administrators be held personally liable for defamatory posts they didn’t write?

The plaintiff, Belliveau, alleged that an administrator of a Canadian AWDTSG-style dating group allowed defamatory content about him to remain in the group after being notified that the claims were false. Rather than suing the original poster alone, Belliveau targeted the group administrator, Quinlan, arguing that she had a duty to moderate content in the group she controlled.

The Ruling

The court found in favor of Belliveau on the admin liability question, establishing several important principles:

Admins have a duty to moderate. The court held that by creating and maintaining a group that facilitated discussions about identifiable individuals, the admin assumed a responsibility to act on credible complaints about false content.

Notice creates obligation. Once the admin was put on notice that specific content was false and defamatory, her failure to investigate and remove the content constituted a breach of duty.

Admin is not merely a passive host. The court distinguished between Facebook (the platform, protected by platform immunity doctrines) and the group admin (an individual who actively created, managed, and benefited from the group). The admin’s active role — setting group rules, approving members, moderating some content while leaving other content up — made her more than a passive intermediary.

Personal liability for damages. Quinlan was found personally liable for damages resulting from the defamatory content she failed to remove after notification. The specific damages amount was based on demonstrated harm to Belliveau’s personal and professional reputation.

Limitations and Context

Canadian law differs from US law. Canada does not have an equivalent to Section 230. Canadian law generally imposes higher duties on content intermediaries than US law does. Direct application of Belliveau to US courts is uncertain.

Active vs. passive admin role matters. The ruling emphasized Quinlan’s active management of the group. An admin who is entirely hands-off might face a different analysis — although the court suggested that creating a group inherently involves some level of management responsibility.

Notice is the trigger. The admin wasn’t liable simply for hosting the group. Liability attached because she was notified of false content and chose not to act. This “notice and failure to act” framework is similar to how some US courts analyze potential admin liability.

What Belliveau Means for You

Admin liability is a developing legal theory. While not yet established in US law, the Belliveau reasoning provides a framework that US plaintiffs’ attorneys are beginning to cite.

Notifying admins creates a paper trail. Sending a formal notification to an AWDTSG group admin identifying specific false content creates the foundation for a potential admin liability claim. Even if the admin doesn’t remove the content, the notification becomes evidence in any future legal proceeding.

International precedent influences US discourse. US courts regularly consider international decisions when analyzing novel legal questions. Belliveau’s reasoning may influence how US courts approach AWDTSG admin liability cases in the coming years.

Admin liability adds a removal tool. Even without filing a lawsuit, citing Belliveau in a demand letter to an AWDTSG admin may increase the likelihood of voluntary removal. Admins who are aware of potential personal liability are more likely to take removal requests seriously.

Beyond the Big Three: Other Notable Cases

State-Level Defamation Actions

Dozens of smaller AWDTSG defamation cases have been filed across the US, most of which settle before trial. Common patterns include:

• Individual defamation suits against a single poster, typically settling for content removal plus a modest financial payment
• Cease and desist letters that result in voluntary removal without litigation
• Small claims court filings in states that allow defamation claims in small claims (damage caps typically $5,000-$10,000)

Anti-SLAPP Complications

Several AWDTSG defendants have filed anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) motions, arguing that their posts constitute protected speech on matters of public concern. In states with strong anti-SLAPP statutes (California, Texas, Oregon, and others), successful anti-SLAPP motions result in:

• Dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims
• The plaintiff being ordered to pay the defendant’s attorney fees
• A chilling effect on future AWDTSG lawsuits in that jurisdiction

Anti-SLAPP is a serious risk for AWDTSG plaintiffs in strong anti-SLAPP states. Consulting with a defamation attorney who understands anti-SLAPP law is essential before filing.

Ready to take action? Our team has helped hundreds of people remove defamatory Facebook group posts and take back their reputation. As seen on Mashable, 404 Media, and InsideHook. Submit your case for a free review.

When to Sue vs. When to Use Professional Removal

The cases above illustrate a clear pattern: AWDTSG lawsuits are expensive, slow, unpredictable, and sometimes counterproductive. But they’re not always the wrong choice. Here’s a framework for deciding.

Consider a Lawsuit When:

• The content is severely defamatory with specific false factual claims (false accusations of crimes, diseases, violence)
• You have documented financial damages — lost job, lost clients, lost business opportunities directly attributable to the AWDTSG post
• You need court-ordered protection — a restraining order against the poster, an injunction against re-posting
• Financial recovery matters — you want compensatory and potentially punitive damages, not just removal
• You’ve identified the poster — knowing who posted avoids the expensive discovery process
• Anti-SLAPP risk is low — you’re in a jurisdiction without strong anti-SLAPP laws, or the content clearly falls outside anti-SLAPP protection
• You have the budget — $15,000-$150,000+ and the emotional capacity for 6-24 months of litigation

Choose Professional Removal When:

• Your primary goal is getting the content removed — not financial damages or legal precedent
• Speed matters — you need results in quicker than litigation
• Budget is a factor — $300-$1,500 vs. $15,000-$150,000+
• The post is harmful but not catastrophically defamatory — it’s damaging your dating life and reputation but hasn’t caused documented financial losses
• You want to avoid publicity — lawsuits can become public; professional removal is discrete
• The content has spread — removal services address cross-platform spread; lawsuits typically address only the original post
• You want monitoring and re-post prevention — professional services include ongoing protection

The Hybrid Approach

For severe cases, the most effective strategy often combines professional removal with legal action:

1. Engage a professional removal service immediately to address the content and stop the spread
2. Consult a defamation attorney to assess legal viability and begin building a case
3. Use the removal service for fast content takedown while the legal process unfolds
4. Pursue legal action for damages and injunctive relief once the immediate reputational bleeding has stopped

This approach gives you fast removal (varies by case via professional service) while preserving your legal options for financial recovery on a longer timeline.

Cost Comparison: Lawsuit vs. Professional Removal

Factor	Lawsuit	Professional Removal
Upfront Cost	$5,000-$15,000 retainer	$300-$1,500 total
Total Cost	$15,000-$150,000+	$300-$1,500
Timeline	6-24 months	Weeks to months
Success Rate	Variable	proven
Content Removal	If won/settled	Primary objective
Financial Damages	Possible	No
Cross-Platform	Usually not	Yes
Privacy	Public record	Confidential
Emotional Toll	High	Low
Re-post Prevention	Injunction (if granted)	Monitoring included

What These Cases Mean for the Future

The legal landscape around AWDTSG groups is still evolving. Several trends are emerging:

Platform immunity remains strong. Section 230 continues to shield Facebook from liability for AWDTSG content. Until Congress acts, suing Meta is not a viable strategy.

Individual poster liability is established. Courts consistently recognize that individual posters can be sued for defamatory AWDTSG content. The challenge is practical (identifying posters, proving falsity, managing costs), not legal.

Admin liability is developing. Belliveau v. Quinlan opened the door to admin liability claims. US courts will likely address this question directly in the coming years.

Anti-SLAPP remains a significant defense. In strong anti-SLAPP jurisdictions, defendants have a powerful tool to dismiss cases and recover fees. Plaintiffs must carefully evaluate this risk.

Media attention creates complications. High-profile lawsuits can amplify the very content they seek to address. The Streisand Effect is a genuine concern.

Professional removal fills the gap. For the majority of AWDTSG targets — people who want the content removed efficiently and affordably — professional removal services offer what the legal system currently cannot: fast, reliable, discrete results at a fraction of the cost of litigation.

Take the Right Next Step

If you’ve been posted in an AWDTSG group and you’re weighing your options:

1. Document everything — regardless of which path you choose, you need evidence
2. Get a free consultation — contact our team to understand your specific situation
3. Don’t rush to the courthouse — a lawsuit filed in anger often creates more problems than it solves
4. Consider removal first, legal action second — get the content down quickly, then pursue damages if appropriate
5. Consult a defamation attorney for severe cases — but choose one who understands AWDTSG and anti-SLAPP law

The legal system is slowly catching up to the reality of AWDTSG groups. In the meantime, you don’t have to wait for the courts to act. Effective removal solutions exist today.

Related Articles

• AWDTSG Defamation: Your Legal Rights
• Can You Sue Over an AWDTSG Post?
• AWDTSG Removal Services Compared
• AWDTSG DMCA Takedown Guide
• Proving False Accusations in AWDTSG
• Complete Guide for Men About AWDTSG

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Disclaimer: Tea App Green Flags is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. For legal counsel regarding defamation, privacy violations, or other legal matters, please consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.