{"id":2476772,"date":"2025-08-20T13:32:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-ag-sues-tiktok-alleging-app-preys-on-young-people\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T13:34:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T17:34:32","slug":"minnesota-ag-sues-tiktok-alleging-app-preys-on-young-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-ag-sues-tiktok-alleging-app-preys-on-young-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota AG sues TikTok, alleging app preys on young people"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fminnesota-ag-sues-tiktok-alleging-app-preys-on-young-people%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2476772&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison, has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-new-acting-attorney-general-jeff-rosen-recently-wrote-an-essay-on-foreign-influence-in-us-elections-this-tells-us-a-little-about-his-knowledge-of-whats-going-on-today\/\" title=\"The New Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen Recently Wrote an Essay on Foreign Influence in US Elections \u2013 This Tells Us A Little About His Knowledge of What\u2019s Going On Today\">social media platform<\/a> 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 &#8220;digital nicotine&#8221; by fostering addiction among children. Additionally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >lawsuit challenges monetary transactions<\/a> 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&#8217;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&#8217;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. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Minnesota AG sues TikTok, alleging app preys on young people<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2169367\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota<\/a> Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that he is suing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tiktok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TikTok<\/a>, alleging the social media app is &ldquo;preying on Minnesota&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/media-call-barrett-a-villain-and-biden-a-hero-for-using-same-term\/\" title=\"Media Call Barrett A Villain And Biden A Hero For Using Same Term\">young people&#038;rdquo<\/a>; through manipulative and deceptive practices.<\/p>\n<p>More than a dozen other<a href=\"https:\/\/oag.ca.gov\/news\/press-releases\/attorney-general-bonta-attorney-general-james-lead-coalition-suing-tiktok\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Democratic attorneys general<\/a> have sued TikTok for its alleged impact on young users and &ldquo;deceptive practices.&rdquo; Ellison&rsquo;s lawsuit, filed in state court, argued that the app violates a Minnesota law against deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3762153\/white-house-tiktok-account-launch-third-extension-deadline-approaches\/\">White House launches TikTok account as third extension deadline creeps up<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3762017\/dc-not-pursue-gun-charges-carrying-rifles-shotguns-jeanine-pirro\/\">DC will not pursue gun charges for carrying rifles or shotguns: Jeanine Pirro<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3762146\/man-charged-cincinnati-brawl\/\">Man charged after being beaten by group in viral Cincinnati street brawl<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;This stuff is digital nicotine,&rdquo; Ellison said at a press conference on Tuesday. &ldquo;Just like big tobacco designs its products to addict them, TikTok is working to create TikTok addicts, and the worst part is it&rsquo;s working. TikTok is profiting, making big money, and our kids are paying a heavy price.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Ellison&rsquo;s lawsuit also alleges that monetary transactions made in the TikTok app are in violation of another state law.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not trying to shut them down, but we are insisting that they clean up their act,&rdquo; Ellison said. &ldquo;There are legitimate uses of products like TikTok. But like all things, they have to be used properly and safely.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Ellison estimated &ldquo;hundreds of thousands of Minnesota kids&rdquo; have TikTok on their devices. TikTok claims to have 170 million American users.<\/p>\n<p>TikTok has disputed the allegations in Minnesota&rsquo;s lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;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,&rdquo; TikTok spokesman Nathaniel Brown said in a statement. &ldquo;Teen accounts on TikTok come with 50+ features and settings designed to help young people safely express themselves, discover and learn.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit comes as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3446857\/republicans-frustrated-trump-delays-tiktok-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Congress <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3446857\/republicans-frustrated-trump-delays-tiktok-ban\/\">essentially<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3446857\/republicans-frustrated-trump-delays-tiktok-ban\/\">passed a ban<\/a> on TikTok last year, which was signed into law by then-President Joe Biden. The law required the app&rsquo;s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to find a new buyer or face a ban in U.S. app stores.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3446857\/republicans-frustrated-trump-delays-tiktok-ban\/\"><strong>REPUBLICANS FRUSTRATED AS TRUMP IGNORES TIKTOK LAW AGAIN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump has said he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3447450\/trump-extends-tiktok-ban-deadline-third-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">would not enforce the law<\/a> as his administration looks to find a new buyer for TikTok. ByteDance has repeatedly said it is not willing to sell TikTok.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ellison said that no matter who owns the app, it must follow state law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Minnesota AG sues TikTok, claiming it exploits youth<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2476773,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP24327458737849.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[61620,34763,61621,51347],"class_list":["post-2476772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-minnesota-ag","tag-social-media-regulation","tag-tiktok-lawsuit","tag-youth-protection"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP24327458737849.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2476772"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2476776,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2476772\/revisions\/2476776"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2476773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2476772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2476772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2476772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}