13 US states sue TikTok over alleged failure to protect young users

Financial penalties sought in claims that popular short-video app puts engagement over public safety via addictive content to maximise ad revenue

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New York Attorney General Letitia James is co-leading the effort by various US states to sue TikTok. Photo: AP

Published: 10:15pm, 8 Oct 2024Updated: 3:16am, 9 Oct 2024

Thirteen US states and the District of Columbia are suing Chinese-owned short-video app TikTok for allegedly failing to protect young people and misrepresenting claims about its commitment to public safety.

The lawsuits, filed separately on Tuesday in the different states, accuse TikTok of using intentionally addictive software and seek financial penalties against the company.

“TikTok claims that their platform is safe for young people, but that is far from true,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is co-leading the effort with California’s attorney general.

“In New York and across the country, young people have died or gotten injured doing dangerous TikTok challenges and many more are feeling more sad, anxious and depressed because of TikTok’s addictive features.”

TikTok, which boasts more than 170 million US-based users, on Tuesday said many of the claims made were “inaccurate and misleading” and that it remained “deeply committed to the work we’ve done to protect teens”.

Tuesday’s development marks the latest legal headache for TikTok.