**State Attorneys General Unite Against TikTok**
A coalition of over a dozen state attorneys general has filed lawsuits against social media giant TikTok, accusing the company of deceiving users and operating an unlicensed money transmission business. The lawsuits, filed in courts across the United States, allege that TikTok’s addictive features pose a significant risk to the mental health of children and teenagers.
Attorney General Brian Schwalb of the District of Columbia, one of the lead plaintiffs, stated that TikTok’s app is designed to be highly addictive, using algorithms and manipulative design features to trigger bursts of dopamine in young users’ brains. “TikTok knows what is happening and has chosen to ignore it,” Schwalb said. “This lawsuit seeks to put an end to its illegal, deceptive, and predatory behavior.”
The lawsuits also accuse TikTok of operating an unlicensed virtual currency system, which allows users to purchase “Coins” to send virtual “Gifts” to streamers during live sessions. TikTok earns substantial revenue from these transactions, charging commissions of up to 50% on each transaction. However, the company has failed to obtain a required money transmitter license, violating D.C. law.
Furthermore, the lawsuits allege that TikTok’s live-streaming feature, TikTok LIVE, enables sexual exploitation of minors, despite having a minimum age requirement of 18 and older. The company’s lax age verification measures incentivize minors to lie about their age to gain access to the feature.
The state attorneys general are seeking restitution for users, civil penalties, and a permanent injunction against TikTok’s alleged violations of consumer protection laws. The lawsuits come at a critical time for the company, which is already facing scrutiny over its data collection practices and national security concerns.
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