Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that the state has filed a second lawsuit against social media giant TikTok, accusing the company of "deceptively marketing" its app as safe for teenagers while exposing minors to explicit and harmful content.
The lawsuit, filed just a day before the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding federal mandates for TikTok's parent company ByteDance to divest from the app, argues that TikTok is violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices–Consumer Protection Act.
Claims of Misleading Marketing
According to the 66-page complaint, TikTok's app store ratings indicate suitability for users aged 12 and older on the Apple App Store and 13+ on other platforms. However, Texas contends that the app should carry a 17+ rating due to the explicit material it hosts. The state argues TikTok intentionally designs its platform to be addictive and appealing to young users despite the content risks.
“TikTok actively worked to deceive parents and lure children onto their app despite the presence of an overwhelming amount of profane and illicit material,” Paxton said in a statement. “Companies may not jeopardize the health and wellbeing of Texas children by blatantly lying about the products they provide.”
Previous Legal Actions
This latest lawsuit follows Paxton’s December announcement of an investigation into multiple technology firms for potential violations of Texas laws on online privacy and child safety. In October, Paxton filed an initial lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the platform violated the state's Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE) by improperly handling and sharing minors' personal data.
Broader Implications
As TikTok continues to be one of the most popular apps among young Texans, the legal battle underscores growing concerns over how social media companies manage child safety. Texas maintains that despite TikTok’s widespread appeal, it has “utterly disregarded the health and safety of Texas minors.”
The legal challenges in Texas add to the mounting pressure TikTok faces across the U.S., as state and federal governments grapple with regulating online spaces that cater to younger audiences. The outcomes of these legal battles may have far-reaching implications for social media governance and data privacy policies nationwide.
Looking Ahead
With Paxton’s office pursuing accountability for what it describes as deceptive practices, the spotlight remains on TikTok's policies and its potential impact on the health and safety of children. The case's resolution could shape future regulatory efforts aimed at safeguarding online environments for young users.
