TikTok is facing new lawsuits from 14 US states, accusing the social media platform of harming young people and failing to protect them, Reuters reports.
The lawsuits, filed separately in states including New York and California, allege that TikTok employs intentionally addictive algorithms to keep children engaged for extended periods, which the states argue contributes to mental health struggles among young people. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that TikTok targets children, who lack the ability to set healthy boundaries with addictive content, while New York Attorney General Letitia James noted the impact of such platforms on young people’s mental health.
The lawsuits also claim TikTok misrepresents its content moderation capabilities and operates an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency features. Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb highlighted concerns over the platform’s potential facilitation of sexual exploitation of minors.
TikTok has denied the allegations, asserting that it has robust safeguards for young users. The lawsuits follow earlier investigations and lawsuits against TikTok for similar issues, including a US Justice Department lawsuit regarding children’s privacy. TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is also facing potential US regulations that could lead to a ban of the app in the country.
