Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with the Division of Consumer Affairs, has initiated legal action against TikTok, alleging the platform engages in practices harmful to New Jersey's youth. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey and accuses TikTok of violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by engaging in deceptive business practices.

Platkin stated, "Our investigation shows that TikTok knows about the dangerous effects of its platform on young users and can mitigate these harms but has deliberately chosen not to do so." Acting Director Cari Fais echoed this sentiment: "The ugly truth is that TikTok misrepresents its platform as being safe for young users when, in reality, it is designed to turn a generation of children into social media addicts for TikTok’s profit."

TikTok's parent company, ByteDance Ltd., entered the U.S. market in 2017 by acquiring Musical.ly. Previously, they settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over violations related to children's privacy. However, new allegations claim TikTok continues such practices despite regulatory warnings.

The lawsuit highlights concerns about features like autoplay and filters that encourage compulsive use among children. It also points out how TikTok allegedly misleads consumers regarding safety measures like time management tools and beauty filters.

Platkin's office seeks various remedies from TikTok and ByteDance, including stopping alleged violations and imposing civil penalties. This lawsuit follows similar action taken against Meta for comparable claims regarding Instagram and Facebook.

Deputy Attorneys General James Greenberg and others represent New Jersey in this case under supervision from multiple leaders within the state's legal framework.