Current:Home > ScamsTikTok sued by 13 states and DC, accused of harming younger users -NextFrontier Finance
TikTok sued by 13 states and DC, accused of harming younger users
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:10:12
TikTok faces new lawsuits filed by 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday, accusing the popular social media platform of harming and failing to protect young people.
The lawsuits filed separately in New York, California, the District of Columbia and 11 other states, expand Chinese-owned TikTok's legal fight with U.S. regulators, and seek new financial penalties against the company.
The states accuse TikTok of using intentionally addictive software designed to keep children watching as long and often as possible and misrepresenting its content moderation effectiveness.
"TikTok cultivates social media addiction to boost corporate profits," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. "TikTok intentionally targets children because they know kids do not yet have the defenses or capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content."
TikTok seeks to maximize the amount of time users spend on the app in order to target them with ads, the states say.
"Young people are struggling with their mental health because of addictive social media platforms like TikTok," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Think TikTok or Temu are safe?Cybersecurity expert says think again, delete them now
TikTok: 'We offer robust safeguards'
TikTok said last week it strongly disagrees with allegations it fails to protect children, saying "in fact, we offer robust safeguards for teens and parents."
Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb alleged TikTok operates an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency features.
"TikTok's platform is dangerous by design. It's an intentionally addictive product that is designed to get young people addicted to their screens," Schwalb said in an interview.
Washington's lawsuit accused TikTok of facilitating sexual exploitation of underage users, saying TikTok's live streaming and virtual currency "operate like a virtual strip club with no age restrictions."
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington state also sued on Tuesday.
In March 2022, eight states including California and Massachusetts, said they launched a nationwide probe of TikTok impacts on young people.
The U.S. Justice Department sued TikTok in August for allegedly failing to protect children's privacy on the app. Other states previously sued TikTok for failing to protect children from harm, including Utah and Texas. TikTok on Monday rejected the allegations in a court filing.
TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance is battling a U.S. law that could ban the app in the United States.
(Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Jamie Freed)
veryGood! (57)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Black people more likely to sleep less after some police killings, study says. It's detrimental for their health
- Mysterious shipwreck washes up on snowy Canada shores, prompting race to salvage vessel being pummeled by the ocean
- It's the Year of the Dragon. Here's your guide to the Lunar New Year
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- Crews search for missing Marine Corps helicopter carrying 5 troops from Nevada to California
- Taylor Swift doesn't want people tracking her private jet. Here's why it's legal.
- Missing snow has made staging World Cup cross country ski race a steep climb in Minnesota
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- Trump’s presidential bid hangs in the balance at the Supreme Court. Here’s what to know
Ranking
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- Royal insider on King Charles' cancer diagnosis and what it means for Britain's royal family
- Family fast track: 9-year-old girl coached by great-grandfather eyes BMX championship
- Georgia man shot, killed after argument in Zaxby's, suspect at large: DeKalb County Police
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins record $19.9 million in salary arbitration against Blue Jays
- King Charles III's cancer, Prince Harry and when family crises bring people together
- Studies cited in case over abortion pill are retracted due to flaws and conflicts of interest
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Georgia family plagued by bat infestation at Savannah home: 'They were everywhere'
U.S. kills senior leader of Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah in strike in Iraq, says senior U.S. official
Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour' movie will stream on Disney+ with an extended setlist
Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
Selena Quintanilla's killer Yolanda Saldívar speaks out from prison in upcoming Oxygen docuseries
Stock market today: Asian shares are mostly higher as S&P 500 nears the 5,000 level for the 1st time
'It’s Coca-Cola, only spiced': New Coke flavor with hints of raspberry and spice unveiled