Utah has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the app harms children’s health with addictive design features and algorithms. Image: cottonbro studios, via Pexels
Utah has filed a lawsuit against popular video-sharing app TikTok, claiming that the app harms children’s health with intentionally addictive design features and algorithms.
It is the third US state to take legal action against the app, following suits brought by Indiana and Arkansas.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes alleges that TikTok violates the consumer protection laws of Utah in three main ways: through “addictive” design features “intended to manipulate children”, by misrepresenting the app through claims that it can “effectively maintain a safe digital environment for children”, and by misleading customers about the degree of its relationship with its parent company ByteDance.
“TikTok designed and employs algorithm features that spoon-feed kids endless, highly curated content from which our children struggle to disengage. TikTok designed these features to mimic a cruel slot machine that hooks kids’ attention and does not let them go,” said Reyes of the app.
Reyes also cited a report from the U.S. Surgeon General published this past May, which warned of the significant mental health risk posed to children and teens by social media usage.
While the advisory found that social media can have positive effects on children, such as by keeping them connected to friends and as a space to share their creativity, it also found evidence that social media use could lead to or exacerbate eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.
“What these children (and their parents) do not know is that TikTok is lying to them about the safety of its app and exploiting them into checking and watching the app compulsively, no matter the terrible effects it has on their mental health, their physical development, their family, and their social life,” said Reyes in a filing.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek refuted the allegations in an email statement, claiming that the app is an industry leader in implementing safeguards for young users.
“TikTok has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts. We will continue to work to keep our community safe by tackling industry-wide challenges,” said Haurek.
Utah is seeking civil penalties and an injunction prohibiting TikTok from violating state law protecting consumers from deceptive business practices.
US Congress remains in deliberation regarding legislation that would restrict or ban TikTok from personal devices in the US over security concerns regarding the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Like the US, many countries, including Australia, Britain and Canada have chosen to ban the app on government-owned devices, however, the app remains available for personal use.
