S.C. attorney general sues TikTok over consumer protection
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson ed a coalition of 14 attorneys general filing separate actions against the social media platform TikTok.
Wilson alleges TikTok violates South Carolina consumer protection laws and “exploits and harms young s and deceives the public about the social media platform’s dangers.”
“TikTok is knowingly addicting children to their platform and monetizing this behavior, all while deceiving parents about the safety of their business model,” said Wilson said.
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A Pew Research survey in 2023 found that 63% of Americans between 13 and 17 years old who responded reported using it. It also found most U.S. teens use it daily.
Wilson claims TikTok’s misconduct arises from its underlying business model that focuses on maximizing young s’ time on its platform. That, Wilson argues, allows the company to boost revenue from selling targeted advertising space.
Wilson says TikTok’s misconduct includes:
- Deploying a business model designed to be addictive and maximize the time young s spend on the platform.
- Using manipulative features, such as continuous scrolling, to keep kids and teens on the platform longer.
- Marketing the platform and platform features to parents as safe for kids and teens online and in app stores.
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Attorneys general from the following states filed separate enforcement actions against TikTok to hold it able for what Wilson’s office called the platform’s role in “the children’s mental health crisis:” California, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.
As of Tuesday, 23 attorneys general have filed actions against TikTok for its conduct toward youth, including existing actions filed in Utah, Nevada, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas.
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