Lawsuits Filed Against TikTok by State Attorneys General

A coalition of 14 state attorneys general has filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that the platform is deliberately addictive and misleading regarding its safety for young users. The lawsuits claim that TikTok’s practices have resulted in mental health issues among children and have allowed for the exploitation of minors through its virtual economy.

The legal actions, which come amid increasing scrutiny of TikTok’s operations in the U.S., assert that the app’s design exploits the psychological vulnerabilities of young users, leading to excessive and unhealthy usage. The attorneys general from states including New York, California, and Illinois argue that TikTok misrepresents the effectiveness of its safety measures and fails to protect minors from harmful content and interactions. The lawsuits also highlight concerns over TikTok’s unregulated virtual currency system, which allegedly facilitates financial exploitation and unsafe interactions between adults and minors. This legal push occurs in the context of broader federal efforts to potentially ban the app, intensifying the stakes for TikTok as it navigates these challenges.

Key Allegations

• Addictive Design: The lawsuits claim TikTok intentionally creates addictive features that lock young users into harmful usage patterns.

• Misrepresentation of Safety: TikTok is accused of falsely claiming its platform is safe for children, despite evidence of harmful outcomes.

• Financial Exploitation: The D.C. lawsuit specifically addresses issues related to TikTok’s virtual currency system, likening it to a “virtual strip club” for minors and alleging it violates consumer protection laws.

Context of the Lawsuits

These lawsuits are part of a broader trend of increasing legal scrutiny on social media platforms regarding their impact on youth mental health and safety. The coalition of attorneys general has been investigating TikTok’s practices since 2022, and the current lawsuits represent the culmination of their findings. As TikTok faces potential federal restrictions, the state-level actions reflect a growing concern over the app’s influence on young users and the need for accountability in the tech industry.