Oregon's Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, in concert with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from 14 states, is taking social media giant TikTok to court for allegedly hooking the youth on its platform. The lawsuit, poised for filing in Multnomah County Circuit Court this Wednesday, claims that TikTok intentionally designs features that are addictive, to the detriment of its young user base. According to Rosenblum, these predatory tactics have led to increased depression, self-harm rates, and a host of other issues impacting the health and emotional well-being of adolescents.
As state attorneys general, representing a population wherein 63% of teens report using TikTok, they see the platform's pervasive influence first-hand. Citing a Pew Research survey, daily use among teenagers in the U.S. is commonplace. Rosenblum alleges that TikTok violates Oregon's consumer protection statutes, according to the Oregon Department of Justice. The Unlawful Trade Practices Act, ORS 646.605 et seq., underpins these allegations.
The aim of the legal action is not only to obtain an injunction to stop these alleged violations but also to compel TikTok to disgorge profits derived from these practices. The penalties sought could amount to up to $25,000 per violation, the action further demands the covering of attorneys' fees. The complaint highlights the main points of contention, such as TikTok's content-recommendation system, purported to be deliberately addictive, and the inclusion of manipulative features that target the psychological vulnerabilities of children.
Among the states joining Oregon to hold TikTok accountable for contributing to the nationwide youth mental health crisis are California, New York, and Massachusetts, among several others. In the wake of these actions, 23 state attorneys general have now filed against the tech company. Encompassing states like Utah, Texas, and Arkansas, the group has targeted TikTok's business practices, which they believe exploit the youngest members of our community.
