TikTok Faces Lawsuits from 13 States Over Safety

TikTok is facing a series of lawsuits from 13 U.S. states and Washington D.C., accusing the platform of exacerbating a mental health crisis among young users due to its addictive design features. These lawsuits are part of a broader investigation initiated in March 2022 by a coalition of state attorneys general, including Alabama and California, focusing on TikTok's impact on youth mental health. The legal actions claim that TikTok's algorithm and features, such as endless scrolling and face filters, are intentionally designed to keep children engaged, prioritizing profit over user well-being. TikTok is also accused of operating a 'virtual economy' without proper financial oversight, and the platform's safety measures for minors are criticized as inadequate. U.S. Attorney Generals are demanding TikTok comply with court orders to provide information about its business practices. This legal scrutiny adds to TikTok's ongoing challenges in the U.S., including a potential ban unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to a U.S. entity.