Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of exploiting young users with addictive algorithms. Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the action on Tuesday, stressing that the case is not about free speech but about the company’s manipulation and failure to protect users.

“This is about deception, manipulation, and misrepresentation,” Ellison said. “TikTok knows the dangers of its product but has failed to act responsibly or inform users of the risks.”

Filed in state court, the lawsuit claims TikTok violated Minnesota’s consumer protection and deceptive trade practice laws. The move follows a wave of similar lawsuits across the United States, with more than 20 states already challenging TikTok’s impact on children’s mental health.

According to the Associated Press, the case stems from a nationwide probe launched in 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general. Ellison said Minnesota delayed filing until it completed its own investigation.

The lawsuit seeks financial penalties of up to $25,000 for each instance in which a Minnesota child accessed TikTok, along with a permanent injunction against harmful practices.

During the announcement, middle school health teacher Sean Padden highlighted the app’s effect in classrooms, linking TikTok use to a surge in depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and shorter attention spans among students. “There’s a clear correlation between TikTok consumption and mental health struggles,” Padden noted.

TIK TOK DENIES ALLEGATIONS

TikTok has rejected Minnesota’s claims. Spokesperson Nathaniel Brown argued that the lawsuit misrepresents the platform’s safety measures. “Teen accounts include over 50 features and settings to safeguard users, including parental controls through our Family Pairing tool,” Brown said.

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With inputs from Associated Press