Social media company TikTok is again facing legal pushback in the US following reports that at least 13 states have filed lawsuits against the popular platform, accusing it of harm and failure to protect children and young people.
New York, California, along with 11 other states and the District of Columbia, are the territories that have launched the legal action.
The lawsuits expand the company’s legal fight with U.S. regulators who’ve been at odds with the platform over the location of US citizen’s personal information.
TikTok is accused of using intentionally addictive software designed to keep children watching as long and often as possible while misrepresenting its content moderation effectiveness, as per Reuters.
“TikTok cultivates social media addiction to boost corporate profits,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “TikTok intentionally targets children because they know kids do not yet have the defences or capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content.”
The suit asserts that TikTok aims to maximise the time users spend on the app to target them with ads.
“Young people are struggling with their mental health because of addictive social media platforms like TikTok,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Last week, TikTok strongly dismissed allegations that it fails to protect children, saying, “In fact, we offer robust safeguards for teens and parents.”
Brian Schwalb, Washington D.C. Attorney General, alleges that TikTok operates an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency features.
“TikTok’s platform is dangerous by design. It’s an intentionally addictive product that is designed to get young people addicted to their screens,” Schwalb said in an interview, as per Reuters.
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington state also sued on Tuesday.
