Snapchat ordered to hand over data after murdered boy’s family fear sick taunts were sent by his killer
SNAPCHAT has been ordered to help British cops investigating claims a child murderer is taunting his victim’s family from behind bars.
It is a major victory for Tory leadership hopeful Sajid Javid, who warned tech giants that protecting children online “is not optional”.
Baby-faced killer Lewis Daynes lured Breck Bednar, 14, to his flat where he raped and murdered him in February 2014.
Breck’s family have been bombarded with Snapchat messages graphically detailing the murder. They believe the sick messages have been sent by Daynes, who was 18 at the time of the killing.
After months of stubbornly refusing to cooperate, Snapchat has finally been ordered by the US authorities to hand over data about the messages.
Mr Javid said: “This is the right outcome for Bednar family – but raises the serious question of why it took my getting involved for Snap to do the right thing.
“Protecting children on your platform is not optional for Snap or any other social media company.”
Breck’s mum, Lorin LaFave, said: “I am still in disbelief.
“When we were contacted by the murderer from prison, we were astonished to be told there was nothing the police could do.
“Sajid has made it safer for children everywhere to be on social media.”
Daynes is believed to be behind a string of disturbing messages to Breck’s family, including his 17 year-old sister Chloe.
They graphically detail how he murdered Breck, who he groomed through online gaming before brutally killing him.
The revelation sparked revulsion among MPs, and Theresa May slammed Snapchat in the House of Commons for refusing to cooperate.
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Chris Philip, the family’s local Tory MP, said the decision means tech giants will finally be stopped from “hiding behind US law”.
He said: “This development shows they have been dishonest and have been needlessly obstructing justice – including obstructing the pursuit of paedophiles.”
Daynes got life with a minimum of 25 years in 2015 for the murder.
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