Minnesota AG sues TikTok, alleging app preys on young people
The Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison, has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of targeting young users in the state through manipulative and deceptive practices.The suit claims TikTok violates Minnesota laws against deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud, alleging the app acts like “digital nicotine” by fostering addiction among children. Additionally, the lawsuit challenges monetary transactions within the app as potentially unlawful.Ellison emphasized the need for TikTok to reform its practices rather than shutting it down entirely. The state seeks a legal declaration that TikTok’s actions are unfair or deceptive, a permanent injunction against these practices, and penalties for each instance a minor uses the app. tiktok disputes the claims, asserting that it has implemented numerous safety features for young users. This legal action occurs amid broader U.S. governmental concerns,including a federal law that mandates ByteDance,TikTok’s Chinese parent company,to sell the app or face a ban in american app stores-a directive not currently enforced by the Trump administration. Ellison underscores that irrespective of ownership, TikTok must comply wiht state laws to protect minors.
Minnesota AG sues TikTok, alleging app preys on young people
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that he is suing TikTok, alleging the social media app is “preying on Minnesota’s young people” through manipulative and deceptive practices.
More than a dozen other Democratic attorneys general have sued TikTok for its alleged impact on young users and “deceptive practices.” Ellison’s lawsuit, filed in state court, argued that the app violates a Minnesota law against deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud.
“This stuff is digital nicotine,” Ellison said at a press conference on Tuesday. “Just like big tobacco designs its products to addict them, TikTok is working to create TikTok addicts, and the worst part is it’s working. TikTok is profiting, making big money, and our kids are paying a heavy price.”
Ellison’s lawsuit also alleges that monetary transactions made in the TikTok app are in violation of another state law.
“We’re not trying to shut them down, but we are insisting that they clean up their act,” Ellison said. “There are legitimate uses of products like TikTok. But like all things, they have to be used properly and safely.”
The state is seeking a declaration from TikTok stating its practices are deceptive, unfair, or unconscionable under Minnesota law, a permanent injunction against those practices, and up to $25,000 for each instance in which a minor in Minnesota has accessed TikTok.
Ellison estimated “hundreds of thousands of Minnesota kids” have TikTok on their devices. TikTok claims to have 170 million American users.
TikTok has disputed the allegations in Minnesota’s lawsuit.
“This lawsuit is based on misleading and inaccurate claims that fail to recognize the robust safety measures TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support the well-being of our community,” TikTok spokesman Nathaniel Brown said in a statement. “Teen accounts on TikTok come with 50+ features and settings designed to help young people safely express themselves, discover and learn.”
The lawsuit comes as Congress essentially passed a ban on TikTok last year, which was signed into law by then-President Joe Biden. The law required the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to find a new buyer or face a ban in U.S. app stores.
REPUBLICANS FRUSTRATED AS TRUMP IGNORES TIKTOK LAW AGAIN
President Donald Trump has said he would not enforce the law as his administration looks to find a new buyer for TikTok. ByteDance has repeatedly said it is not willing to sell TikTok.
Ellison said that no matter who owns the app, it must follow state law.
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