Just explain the basics of the action taken by these states, the mechanism by how they took it, and what the claim is. Well, the states have worked together in this claim against TikTok, as you described. Going after the company over what the state attorneys general call harmful behavior to the public. In other words, baking in harmful and addictive features into the algorithm, into the software, into this platform that children are using so that they are hooked, so that it keeps them on as repeat customers, so that they stay on the platform longer. This includes things like endless scrolling. It also includes features like beauty filters and comments and likes that can also harm children and self-esteem. All of this they are seeing as causing a public health crisis among young people, and they are taking steps to try to address it. Does not the only lawsuit, of course, there's been a barrage. There was a federal lawsuit just in August claiming TikTok allowed children

to open accounts and gathered information about them when they shouldn't have been. What's interesting is TikTok like matter like many other companies when it comes to social media and children, I mean, putting in place what they say are safeguards. You've got all accounts of teens under 18 starting out as private, they say, and a screen limit of some 60 minutes. What's interesting in this case is that the attorneys general take issue with those sorts of safety precautions, saying they're not really real. Well, that's right. And in fact, in the case that you mentioned, and I'm so glad you brought it up, Carolyn. In August, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company for failing to abide by the terms of a 2019 settlement over child privacy. In both of these cases. What the federal government and then the state attorneys general are alleging is that these measures have not been enough.

And, in fact, in the case brought by California today and the other states, they are saying that children's private data was being exploited without parental consent or notice. And that is just a fundamental, in their view, violation of that relationship with children under the age of 13.

TikTok Sued By States Over Safety

Welcome to the Bloomberg Technology YouTube channel. Subscribe for original series and mini-docs on game-changing technologies, profiles on innovators, live conversations with experts, and breaking technology news & analysis from Bloomberg TV.

TikTok Sued By States Over Safety

Scripts