HOUSTON - Yesterday, the 14th Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Facebook’s special appearance in a lawsuit brought by an alleged sex trafficking victim, concluding that Texas has specific personal jurisdiction over the claim.
Plaintiff Jane Doe’s lawsuit alleges that she became a victim of sex trafficking in 2012 after her abuser connected with her through Facebook.
Court records show Facebook filed a special appearance challenging the trial court’s personal jurisdiction and a Rule 91a motion seeking dismissal of all of Doe’s claims. The trial court denied Facebook’s special appearance and motion to dismiss.
On appeal, Facebook argued that the trial court erred when it denied its special appearance because Texas does not have general jurisdiction over it, and that Texas does not have specific jurisdiction over Facebook as to Doe’s claim.
The 14th Court concluded that Doe established specific jurisdiction over Facebook in Texas, affirming the trial court’s denial of Facebook’s special appearance.
“Further, Texas has a strong interest in protecting citizens of the State by exercising jurisdiction over these types of claims,” the opinion states.
Appeals case No. 14-19-00854-CV