WASHINGTON – D.C. is joining more than a dozen states in suing social media giant TikTok.
Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced a lawsuit against TikTok, Inc., accusing the platform of causing mental and physical harm to D.C. children. The lawsuit accuses the platform of being intentionally designed to be addictive to kids. The lawsuit also alleges that TikTok deceives its users and their parents about the safety of its platform, and illegally operates a money transmission business, all in violation of District consumer protection laws.
AG Schwalb wants to force TikTok to correct its “harmful and deceptive consumer practices.” They’re also seeking monetary restitution for any impacted District residents, plus civil penalties, and attorney fees.
“TikTok’s platform, designed to be dangerously addictive, inflicts immense damage on an entire generation of young people,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “In addition to prioritizing its profits over the health of children, TikTok’s unregulated and illegal virtual …