Nebraska's Attorney General, Mike Hilgers, announced on Wednesday that TikTok is facing a lawsuit over allegations of deceptively targeting teenagers and misleading parents regarding the app's safety measures, as per a report by Nebraska Examiner.  

Nebraska Sues TikTok

According to Hilgers, young users and their parents were led to believe that TikTok had adequate safeguards in place to protect minors, but instead, the app allegedly exposed them to potentially harmful content, contributing to addiction and mental health concerns.

The lawsuit, filed in Lancaster County District Court, accuses TikTok of intentionally luring teens and children into a cycle of social media engagement without adequately addressing the risks associated with such behavior. Hilgers drew parallels between TikTok's practices and tactics historically used by tobacco companies to attract young smokers.

Central to the lawsuit is the claim that TikTok knowingly distributes inappropriate content to young users, capitalizing on its "golden audience" of teenagers. Investigators, posing as 13 to 17-year-olds, allegedly encountered problematic videos on their feeds without actively seeking them out.

Hilgers emphasized that TikTok's advertised safety features, including age restrictions and parental controls, are ineffective and fail to prevent access to unsuitable material. 

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TikTok Defends Its Safety Measures

In response to the lawsuit, TikTok defended its safety measures, citing industry-leading safeguards designed to protect teenagers. However, Hilgers argued that these measures are insufficient and called for greater transparency from the company regarding its content moderation practices.

The legal action against TikTok adds to the mounting challenges facing the social media platform, which also faces scrutiny over data privacy concerns and national security risks associated with its Chinese ownership. Several states, including Nebraska, have restricted TikTok's use on government devices due to security concerns.

Nebraska's lawsuit seeks civil fines for violations of the state's Consumer Protection Act and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Hilgers expressed hope that the litigation would compel TikTok to address the allegations and enact meaningful changes to its platform.

The Attorney General's office is also seeking the public release of internal documents obtained during the investigation, which could shed light on TikTok's content policies and practices. 

Hilgers emphasized the need for greater accountability and oversight of social media companies to protect users, particularly minors, from harmful online experiences.

While TikTok remains popular among young people, with millions of daily users in the United States, Hilgers warned of the negative impact on academic performance, behavior, and mental health associated with excessive use of the app. He reiterated his commitment to enforcing consumer protection laws and holding social media companies accountable for their actions. 

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