Are We Dating the Same Guy Lawsuit 2026: The 7th Circuit Ruling, Dismissed Defamation Claims, and What Actually Happened in Court
Quick Answer
- The “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” lawsuit filed by Nikko D’Ambrosio was dismissed and affirmed on appeal in May 2026 .
- The court found the posts about D’Ambrosio were subjective opinions, not defamation, and that his photo was not used for commercial purposes .
- The Seventh Circuit is now considering sanctions against D’Ambrosio and his lawyers for fictitious citations and a frivolous appeal .
The “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” lawsuit was one man’s attempt to sue Meta, a Facebook group, and dozens of women over posts about his dating behavior. It failed at every level. The case, D’Ambrosio v. Meta Platforms, Inc., was dismissed by a federal judge in May 2025 and affirmed by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on May 15, 2026 .
The appeals court didn’t just affirm the dismissal. It ordered D’Ambrosio and his legal team to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for filing a frivolous appeal and submitting a brief with “fictitious quotations” . That’s a serious development for a case that was already struggling.
This article explains what the lawsuit alleged, why the courts rejected it, what the sanctions threat means, and what this ruling signals for the thousands of “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” groups still operating.
The Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case Name | D’Ambrosio v. Meta Platforms, Inc., et al. |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (1:24-cv-00678); Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (No. 25-2231) |
| Plaintiff | Nikko D’Ambrosio |
| Defendants | Meta Platforms, Spill The Tea, Inc., Paola Sanchez, Blake Millbrand, Abbigail Rajala, 26 Jane Does |
| Status | Dismissed; affirmed on appeal May 15, 2026; sanctions consideration pending |
| Settlement Fund | None. No settlement exists. |
| Consumer Claims | Not applicable. This is a defamation case, not a class action. |
Is the “Are We Dating the Same Guy” Lawsuit Real or a Scam?
The “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit is real, and it’s over. Nikko D’Ambrosio, a Chicago-area man, filed a defamation and privacy lawsuit in 2024 against Meta, the operators of the Chicago chapter of the Facebook group, and dozens of women who posted about him .
The lawsuit was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Sunil R. Harjani on May 13, 2025. The Seventh Circuit affirmed that dismissal on May 15, 2026 .
There is no settlement fund. There is no claims process. If you see a website or social media post claiming you can file a claim for money from this case, that’s a scam.
Key Takeaway: The “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit was a defamation case that failed. No settlement exists, and no consumer payout is available.
What Did Nikko D’Ambrosio Allege in the Lawsuit?
D’Ambrosio alleged that he was defamed by posts made in the “Are We Dating the Same Guy? | Chicago” Facebook group in November and December 2023 .
The group, owned by Spill The Tea, Inc., is a private, invite-only Facebook community with approximately 100,000 members where women discuss their dating experiences with Chicago-area men .
D’Ambrosio’s lawsuit claimed that Abbigail Rajala, a woman he briefly dated, posted about his behavior, shared a text message he sent her, and included his photograph. Other users allegedly republished the posts under anonymous handles. One user, identified as “Monica Tska,” allegedly linked D’Ambrosio to a CBS News article about an Illinois man arrested for criminal sexual assault, falsely claiming he was that person .
D’Ambrosio sued for defamation, false light invasion of privacy, doxxing, and violation of the Illinois Right of Publicity Act. He named Meta, Spill The Tea, Inc., Paola Sanchez, Blake Millbrand, Abbigail Rajala, her parents, and 26 Jane Does .
Why Was the Lawsuit Dismissed?
The lawsuit was dismissed because the court found that the posts about D’Ambrosio were subjective opinions, not false statements of fact .
Judge Harjani ruled that D’Ambrosio failed to allege any false statements. The posts described his behavior while dating, which the court characterized as opinions and personal experiences, not defamation .
The Illinois Right of Publicity Act claim also failed because D’Ambrosio did not allege that his photo was used for commercial purposes. Meta was not using his identity to sell or advertise anything .
The court noted that D’Ambrosio “objects to the idea that women in Chicago, and nationally, have a private invite-only forum in which they are able to discuss and potentially warn other women against men’s dating habits,” but that objection does not make the statements defamatory .
What Did the Seventh Circuit Rule on Appeal?
The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal on May 15, 2026, in a unanimous decision from a three-judge panel .
The panel wrote that it was affirming “dismissal of a litany of claims arising from a few social media posts about the plaintiff’s reportedly obnoxious behavior on dates and after a breakup” .
The court found that D’Ambrosio failed to offer even colorable grounds for reversing the dismissal of his claims against Abbigail Rajala and her parents. It also noted that D’Ambrosio’s attorney submitted a brief with “fictitious quotations, citations, and claims that should have been avoided with routine cite-checking” .
Key Takeaway: The Seventh Circuit didn’t just affirm the dismissal. It criticized the quality of the legal work and signaled that sanctions may follow.
What Does the Sanctions Threat Mean for D’Ambrosio’s Lawyers?
The Seventh Circuit ordered D’Ambrosio and his attorneys to show cause why they should not face sanctions under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 38, which allows courts to impose penalties for frivolous appeals .
The court specifically flagged two issues: the frivolous appeal of claims against Rajala and her parents, and the submission of a brief with fictitious citations. Sanctions could include monetary penalties, attorney discipline, or both .
This is an unusual and serious development. Courts rarely threaten sanctions on their own initiative. The Seventh Circuit’s language suggests the panel viewed the appeal as particularly weak or potentially bad-faith .
What Was the Earlier Stewart Lucas Murray Lawsuit?
A separate, earlier wave of “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” lawsuits was filed by Stewart Lucas Murray, a California man who sued more than 50 women in 2024 .
Murray claimed he was defamed by posts in the group and sought $2.6 million in damages. He also set up a fundraising page to cover legal costs .
In April 2024, a Los Angeles judge dismissed the first of Murray’s lawsuits against defendant Vanessa Valdez, granting an Anti-SLAPP motion. Anti-SLAPP laws protect people from lawsuits designed to silence them on matters of public interest. The judge found no evidence of conspiracy and no possibility of Murray prevailing .
That ruling set a precedent for the remaining Murray cases, which were expected to meet similar fates.
What Does This Ruling Mean for “Are We Dating the Same Guy” Groups?
The Seventh Circuit’s ruling is a strong signal that defamation claims against these groups and their members face steep legal hurdles.
Posts describing personal dating experiences are generally treated as protected opinions, not defamatory statements of fact . The commercial use requirement under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act adds another barrier for claims involving photographs .
An ABC News report noted that an appeals court ruling cleared the path for activity to resume in “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” Facebook groups that had paused due to legal fears .
However, the ruling does not mean groups are immune from all liability. An Australian case involving a different Facebook group admin resulted in $25,000 in legal fees after a defamatory comment was posted by an unknown user . Admin liability remains a risk in some jurisdictions.
Reality Check: No one texts you settlement money from a defamation case. The “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit was dismissed, and no fund exists. Filing a complaint with a platform or a law enforcement agency is free. Anyone charging you a fee to “process” a claim related to this case is running a scam.
How Do You Report Defamatory Posts in These Groups?
If you believe you’ve been defamed in an “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” group, you have options, but success is not guaranteed.
Steps to take:
- Document everything. Take screenshots of the posts, including timestamps and usernames.
- Report the post to Facebook. Use the platform’s reporting tools for harassment or privacy violations.
- Request removal directly. Contact group admins and explain why the post is false or harmful.
- Consult a defamation attorney. An attorney can assess whether the statements are actionable or protected opinion.
- Consider an Anti-SLAPP risk. If you sue, you may face an Anti-SLAPP motion and potentially pay the other side’s legal fees if you lose .
- File a police report if the posts include threats or criminal allegations.
What Happens Next in the D’Ambrosio Case?
The case is closed at the district court level. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal. The only remaining issue is whether sanctions will be imposed on D’Ambrosio and his attorneys .
Expected Timeline:
- May 15, 2026: Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal and ordered show-cause on sanctions .
- Ongoing 2026: D’Ambrosio and his attorneys have the opportunity to respond to the show-cause order.
- Expected later 2026: The Seventh Circuit will decide whether to impose sanctions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit still active?
No. The case was dismissed and the dismissal was affirmed on appeal in May 2026. The only pending issue is potential sanctions against the plaintiff and his lawyers .
Can I file a claim for money from the “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit?
No. This was a defamation case, not a class action. There is no settlement fund and no claims process.
Why was the lawsuit dismissed?
The court found that the posts about D’Ambrosio were subjective opinions, not false statements of fact, and that his photo was not used for commercial purposes .
What are the sanctions against D’Ambrosio’s lawyers about?
The Seventh Circuit ordered them to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for filing a frivolous appeal and submitting a brief with fictitious citations .
Did Stewart Lucas Murray win his lawsuit?
No. His first case was dismissed in April 2024, and the ruling set a precedent for his remaining cases .
Can I sue if I’m defamed in an “Are We Dating the Same Guy” group?
You can, but courts have shown strong deference to posts framed as personal opinions. Anti-SLAPP laws may also protect defendants and require you to pay their legal fees if you lose .
What is an Anti-SLAPP motion?
It’s a legal tool to dismiss lawsuits that are intended to silence speech on matters of public interest. If granted, the plaintiff may have to pay the defendant’s attorney fees .
What Should You Do If You’re Concerned About These Groups?
The “Are We Dating the Same Guy” lawsuit failed because courts treat dating experiences as personal opinions, not defamation. If you’re concerned about posts in these groups, document them, report them to the platform, and consult an attorney about your specific situation.
There is no settlement to claim. The most important fact to remember: the Seventh Circuit affirmed dismissal on May 15, 2026, and sanctions against the plaintiff’s legal team are still being considered.
