More than a dozen U.S. attorneys general are suing TikTok in their respective jurisdictions. The new lawsuit primarily criticizes the platform's algorithms for being addictive to children.
One of the litigants, Letitia James of New York, said TikTok challenges that indirectly encourage users to follow trends have killed and injured American teens.
According to BBCJames cited the example of a 15-year-old boy who died after trying to climb onto a moving subway car during a “subway surfing” challenge in Manhattan. The boy's mother found a TikTok video of the same nature on the boy's phone.
“TikTok recognizes that the compulsive use and other harmful effects of its platform are wreaking havoc on the mental health of millions of American children and adolescents.” the lawsuit claimed.
“Despite this documented knowledge, TikTok continues to misrepresent its platform as 'secure,'” the document continued. [and] “Suitable for children and adolescents.”
The complaint alleges that TikTok's “For You” feed algorithm uses design features that make children addicted to the platform. Features in question include the ability to scroll infinitely, push notifications, and face filters that create a look that's probably unattainable.
The 14 states suing TikTok include California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington. Includes the District of Columbia.
Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb called the algorithm “dopamine-triggered” and said it was intentionally addictive, leading users to overconsume the app.
Schwalb also claimed that TikTok knowingly engaged in such actions that would result in “serious psychological and physiological harm,” the Associated Press alleged. reported. Issues listed include anxiety, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, and more.
”[TikTok] is benefiting from the fact that it's getting young people hooked on its platform,” Schwalb said.
In response, TikTok spokesperson Alex Howrek said the company strongly disagrees with the lawsuit's claims, calling them “inaccurate and misleading.”
“We're proud of the work we've done to protect teens and will continue to update and improve our products,” said Howrek.
He added: “We have been working with the Attorney General for more than two years, but the Attorney General has taken this action without collaborating with us on constructive solutions to industry-wide challenges. It's very unfortunate,” he added.
TikTok does not allow children under 13 to sign up and restricts some content to those under 18.
The lawsuit asks TikTok to stop using the features and pay fines for the alleged illegal and harmful conduct.
At the same time, TikTok could be banned in the United States if parent company ByteDance does not sell it by mid-January 2025 in accordance with federal law. The company is challenging the ruling in the Washington Court of Appeals.
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