Florida Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against TikTok
Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer has initiated legal action against TikTok to enforce a 2024 state law aimed at regulating minors’ access to social media platforms. Usmeyer remarked, “The era of TikTok is over.”
This civil lawsuit was filed in St. Lucie County Circuit Court on Monday, further escalating tensions between Florida and major tech companies. The legal move is part of Florida’s ongoing effort to implement a law designed to limit how children engage with social media.
This lawsuit is the latest chapter in Florida’s clash with Big Tech, as Republican leaders in the state express concerns over the increasing impact of social media and artificial intelligence. Initially, the state’s social media regulations faced challenges in federal court, where tech companies argued that the laws infringed on free speech. However, Florida was eventually granted permission to begin enforcing the law back in November.
Usmeyer indicated that TikTok might be liable for billions of dollars due to claims of misleading parents and allowing access to harmful content for children using the app. He suggested that this lawsuit could mark just the beginning for social media companies looking to bypass Florida’s regulations, which are designed to prohibit access for those under 14 without parental consent.
“TikTok’s time has come,” Usmeyer stated at a recent event. He described TikTok as one of the most dangerous social media apps in terms of immediate risks to children.
The law in question does not specifically name any social media platforms but instead focuses on addictive features such as endless scrolling. It applies to platforms where at least 10% of users are under 16 and spend an average of two hours or more each day.
Usmeyer pointed out that some companies, like Meta, have complied with Florida’s regulations by removing numerous accounts belonging to children. However, the lawsuit claims TikTok utilizes addictive elements, such as unlimited scrolling and notifications, while still allowing children access to dangerous content, including pornography and videos promoting self-harm.
In response, a TikTok spokesman defended the company’s safety measures for teens, maintaining that it has a solid track record for protecting minors. TikTok stated it is working positively with the attorney general and has informed users under 14 in Florida that their accounts will be suspended. They also noted ongoing updates to the platform to comply with state law.
Usmeyer announced that Florida is deploying undercover agents to monitor TikTok content, highlighting concerns that some children may spend as much as eight hours per day on the app, despite existing regulations. “We’re going to give these kids their lives back,” he emphasized.
Since his appointment by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2025, Usmeyer has actively pursued legal actions against various tech companies on the state’s behalf. His targets include OpenAI regarding child safety, as well as the popular children’s gaming platform Roblox. Currently, he is also pursuing a similar lawsuit against Snapchat, following a prior case where an appeals court ruled in 2025 that states have the authority to enforce social media regulations.
