TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of violating Florida’s online child protection laws and misleading parents about the safety of content on the app.
Florida TikTok lawsuit
According to the complaint, TikTok is violating Florida’s House Bill 3, a law that took effect Jan. 1, 2025, aimed at protecting children online.
“TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” Uthmeier said. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”
Dig deeper:
According to the attorney general’s office, TikTok markets itself in app stores as appropriate for users ages 13 and older while describing content involving sexual themes, drug use, profanity, self-harm, suicide and eating disorders as “mild” and “infrequent.”
Florida’s complaint further claims that TikTok intentionally targets children and teenagers as key users of its platform.
Florida family protections
State attorneys also say TikTok has been aware internally of potential harms to children for years but failed to address those concerns.
“The State of Florida stands with families in protecting our children from the abuses of addictive social media apps,” State Rep. Chip LaMarca said. “Thank you to the AG for pursuing the fight against these bad actors.”
What’s next:
TikTok response
TikTok had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time the lawsuit was announced.
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