A new lawsuit has rocked the social media and influencer industry as Alice Rosenblum has filed a legal complaint against Passes, a celebrity-backed content subscription platform, alleging that the company knowingly distributed sexually explicit content featuring minors, including herself.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims that Passes—co-founded by entrepreneur Lucy Guo—engaged in the illegal distribution of explicit material, violating federal child exploitation laws.
According to Rosenblum’s legal team, Passes was not only a space for influencers to monetize their fanbase but also a platform that profited from the sale and distribution of illicit content.
Allegations Against Passes and Its Executives
The complaint names Passes co-founder Lucy Guo, along with Alec Celestin and Lani Ginoza, alleging they participated in a scheme that recruited underage girls to produce explicit content.
Rosenblum asserts that her own images and videos were sold and distributed through Passes both before and after she turned 18, further exacerbating the company’s alleged violations of federal law.
“We are proud to be holding accountable those who sexually exploit minors for money, and we will continue our efforts unabated,” Rosenblum’s attorney stated in a press release.
Passes Denies Wrongdoing
In response, a Passes spokesperson denied the allegations, stating:
“Since its founding, Passes has worked diligently to foster a safe creator-first platform. We forbid the uploading and distribution of explicit content and actively work to identify and remove any image or video that is in violation of our guidelines.”
The company acknowledged that individuals may attempt to circumvent their policies but stressed that they take immediate action when violations are discovered.
Lucy Guo, who co-founded Passes, also addressed the lawsuit directly in a statement posted to social media, calling the allegations “meritless.”
She insisted that she had no interaction with the plaintiff and that Passes operates within strict legal and ethical guidelines.
“The lawsuit, at least as it relates to Passes and myself, is utterly meritless,” Guo wrote.
She further distanced the company from Alec Celestin, claiming he was never an official employee or agent of Passes.
Guo also noted that Passes has a history of swiftly enforcing content violations, stating:
“We have always taken action on violations swiftly, both proactively and when reports come in.”
She added that the flagged account was suspended as soon as concerns were raised.
Previous Legal Troubles for Passes
This is not the first legal issue Passes has faced. Earlier this year, the platform was sued by competitor Fanfix, which accused Guo and Celestin of engaging in unfair business practices and allegedly recruiting creators using stolen confidential information.
As the lawsuit unfolds, legal experts predict that it could have broader implications for content platforms and their responsibilities in monitoring and regulating user-generated content.
The case raises questions about the enforcement of content moderation policies and the liability of social media companies when illegal material is allegedly distributed on their platforms.
