South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has initiated legal action against TikTok, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws. This move is part of a larger effort by a bipartisan group of 14 attorneys general who have filed similar actions against the social media platform.
Attorney General Wilson claims that TikTok "exploits and harms young users and deceives the public about the social media platform’s dangers." He further asserts, "TikTok is knowingly addicting children to their platform and monetizing this behavior, all while deceiving parents about the safety of their business model."
TikTok's popularity among young Americans is significant. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 63% of Americans aged 13 to 17 reported using TikTok, with many teenagers engaging with the platform daily. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Wilson contends that TikTok's business model aims to maximize user engagement among youth to increase revenue from targeted advertising.
The states joining South Carolina in filing separate enforcement actions include California, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. In total, 23 attorneys general have taken legal steps against TikTok for its impact on youth mental health. These states include Utah, Nevada, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas.
The complaint detailing these allegations is available for public review.