TikTok is facing renewed legal challenges as 13 US states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits on Tuesday, accusing the popular social media platform of endangering and failing to protect young users. The lawsuits, filed separately in New York, California, and 11 other states, expand TikTok’s ongoing legal battles with US regulators and seek financial penalties, as reported by Reuters news agency.
The states allege that TikTok employs intentionally addictive software to keep children engaged for extended periods, misrepresenting its effectiveness in content moderation. “TikTok cultivates social media addiction to boost corporate profits,” said California attorney general Rob Bonta. “TikTok intentionally targets children because they know kids do not yet have the defenses or capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content.”
Washington DC attorney general Brian Schwalb claimed that TikTok operates an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency features. He described TikTok as “dangerous by design,” with an intent to get young people addicted to their screens.
The lawsuit from Washington also accused TikTok of facilitating the sexual exploitation of underage users, claiming that its live-streaming features resemble “a virtual strip club with no age restrictions.”
New York attorney general Letitia James also expressed concerns about the mental health struggles young people face due to addictive platforms like TikTok. In response, TikTok expressed strong disagreement with the claims, calling many as “inaccurate and misleading,” and expressed disappointment that the states chose litigation over collaboration on constructive solutions.
This lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal actions against TikTok, including a recent US Justice Department lawsuit alleging failure to protect children’s privacy on the app.