Utah Unveils Fresh Proof in TikTok Legal Battle
In a shocking turn of events, TikTok has been accused in a lawsuit by Utah of monetizing the exploitation of underage children through its Live feature and the use of in-app currency. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok intentionally promotes addictive content to minors, including via features like live streaming and virtual gifting (in-app purchases), thereby enabling exploitation and harm to children for profit.
The legal action is part of a broader effort by Utah and other states to hold major social media companies accountable for designing platforms with addictive mechanics and features that disproportionately harm minors’ mental health and privacy. The complaint argues that these platforms, including TikTok, have failed to provide adequate protections against exploitation despite knowing the risks.
The lawsuit against TikTok was unsealed, revealing allegations of TikTok's knowledge of the danger and damage caused by TikTokLive. Attorneys for the state allege that TikTok's in-app currency has been used for money laundering and other illegal operations. In 2023, TikTok compliance teams reported identifying major money laundering criminal patterns on TikTok live platform, according to the lawsuit.
One of the most disturbing allegations is that some adults paid TikTok LIVE users for stripping, posing, and dancing using an in-app currency that can be exchanged for real-world money. TikTok is accused of generating significant revenue from transactions for sexual content.
The lawsuit further accuses TikTok of refusing to ensure accurate bookkeeping, real-time suspicious payment monitoring, timely reporting processes to law enforcement, KYC verification for all users, and processes to keep banned users off the platform. Utah claims TikTok has refused to implement safety measures such as robust safety protections, screen time limits, and parental monitoring tools.
TikTok's response to the lawsuit states that it distorts their commitment to the safety of their community, claiming the complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and outdated documents. TikTok's internal investigation, Project Meramec, found that underage users bypassing age verification for TikTok LIVE received provocative messages from much older users.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes has stated that TikTok endangering children and monetizing their exploitation on TikTokLive is unconscionable. The lawsuit was filed weeks ahead of a scheduled nationwide ban on TikTok, adding to the mounting pressure on the company.
References: 1. The Verge 2. The Wall Street Journal 3. CNET 4. The New York Times
Note: The article references dates that are in the future, as the provided bullet points did not specify a specific year for the events.
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