Salesforce & Backpage Trafficking Lawsuit Update
By Steve Levine
Updated: October 13, 2025
You May Be Part of a Lawsuit Against Salesforce Over Its Dealings With Backpage
You may be hearing about a major lawsuit filed against Salesforce.com, Inc. over claims that it helped the website Backpage.com operate even after learning it was being used for sex trafficking ads. The lawsuit is still active in court and has not yet resulted in a settlement. Survivors of trafficking allege that Salesforce’s software helped Backpage manage its operations and communications, indirectly enabling the illegal activity.Case Details
Case Name: A.B. v. Salesforce.com, Inc.
Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division)
Case Number: 4:20-cv-01254
Judge: Hon. Andrew S. Hanen
Filed: April 8, 2020
Latest Docket Activity: October 3, 2025 (Reply in Support of Motion)
Who Is Backpage?
Backpage.com was a popular classified ads website that operated across the United States. It allowed users to post listings for jobs, items for sale, and personal ads. Over time, federal investigators found that the site was being widely used for illegal sex trafficking ads, including the exploitation of minors. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice shut down Backpage and charged its founders with facilitating prostitution and money laundering.Who Is Salesforce?
Salesforce.com, Inc. is a large American technology company based in San Francisco, California. It provides cloud-based software that helps businesses manage customer data, sales, and communications. The plaintiffs in this case claim that Salesforce sold software and business tools to Backpage that helped it run its operations, even after the company was aware of trafficking concerns. Salesforce denies these claims and says it had no knowledge that its technology was being used for illegal activity.What Is This Case About
Plaintiffs claim that Salesforce knowingly continued to provide software, CRM tools, and data support to Backpage.com while the platform was already being investigated for sex trafficking activity. Salesforce denies wrongdoing and says it had no knowledge that its technology was being misused.Section 230 Appeal Ruling
In December 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Salesforce could not use Section 230 protections (the law that shields online platforms from liability for user content) to dismiss this case. The court said Salesforce’s alleged business support went beyond user-generated content, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.Recent Case Updates
The docket shows multiple filings between August and October 2025. On October 3, 2025, Salesforce filed another reply in support of a motion. The court has not yet set a trial date, and the case remains in the pretrial discovery phase.What Is the Total Settlement Amount?
There is currently no settlement in this case. The court has not approved any payout, and Salesforce has not agreed to settle the claims. If the parties reach a settlement later, the total amount will be announced publicly.How Do I Qualify for a Payout?
At this time, no one qualifies for a payout. Only the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit are part of the case. If the court later approves a settlement, eligibility details will be made available for survivors who may qualify under the settlement terms.How Much Can I Get Paid?
Because there is no settlement yet, no payout amounts have been decided. If the plaintiffs win or a settlement is reached, compensation would depend on court-approved formulas and individual circumstances.Who Will Qualify For A Payout?
There is no settlement yet, so no one qualifies right now. Only the named plaintiffs are part of the case. If a settlement is reached later, the court will define who is included. In a case like this, eligibility would likely focus on survivors whose trafficking was tied to Backpage and who meet the court approved class definition. We will update this page if a class is certified or a settlement is announced.Will There Be A Claim Form?
Not at this time. There is no claim form or settlement administrator because the case has not settled. If a settlement is reached, the court will approve a notice program, a claim website, and an official claim form. We will post the link here and in our newsletter.What Is The Anticipated Date?
No dates have been announced. The case is still in the pretrial phase as of October 13, 2025. If the parties negotiate a settlement, the normal sequence is preliminary approval, a claims period, then final approval, followed by payments. That process often takes several months from the time a settlement is first announced. We will post exact dates once the court sets them.How Do I File a Claim?
There is no claim form available yet. When a settlement is reached, the court will appoint a settlement administrator and release an official claim form. OpenClassActions.com will post it here once it becomes available.What Is the Claim Form Deadline?
Since the lawsuit has not yet settled, there is no claim deadline. Any future settlement will include a clear filing period announced through official court channels.What Are the Important Dates?
•April 8, 2020: Lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Texas.•December 19, 2024: Fifth Circuit ruled the case could continue (Section 230 immunity denied).
•October 3, 2025: Latest filing by Salesforce.
•Next: Awaiting court rulings and potential pretrial hearings.
When Is the Class Action Settlement Payment Date?
There is no payment date because no settlement has been reached. If the case settles, payment distribution will follow court approval, typically several months after final approval.Is Proof Required to File a Claim?
Proof requirements have not been established yet. If a class settlement occurs, claimants will likely need to show that they were affected by Backpage’s trafficking operations and that Salesforce’s services were linked to their experience.What Happens Next?
The case remains active in federal court. Both sides are still submitting motions and discovery documents. If it moves toward trial or settlement, more information — including claim forms and payment details — will be shared here.Official Documents
- CourtListener Docket for A.B. v. Salesforce.com, Inc.
- Fifth Circuit Opinion (Dec. 19, 2024)
- Law360 Summary
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:Sources
• CourtListener Docket• Fifth Circuit Court Opinion
• Law360 Article
• Courthouse News Coverage
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Submit Claim| Claim Form: | Not Yet Available |
| Estimated Payout: | Pending (Case Still Active) |
| Status: | Ongoing Lawsuit (No Settlement) |
| Case: | A.B. v. Salesforce.com, Inc. |
| Court: | U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas |
| Judge: | Hon. Andrew S. Hanen |