Florida sues TikTok for allegedly violating its social media ban for kids

The authorities of Florida is suing TikTok complete claims the institution isn’t complying pinch the state’s kid information law, which bans kids nether 14 from creating societal media accounts, arsenic reported earlier by Reuters. The lawsuit, filed connected Monday, alleges that TikTok still allows 13-year-olds successful Florida to usage the level and is “actively deceiving” parents astir its risks.

TikTok is besides accused of failing to require 14- and 15-year-olds to get parental consent earlier signing up to the platform, successful usurpation of Florida’s societal media law. The rule (HB3) initially came into unit connected January 1st, 2025, but a federal judge blocked it successful the midst of a ineligible battle. An appeals tribunal reversed this ruling precocious past year, allowing it to return effect. Florida filed a akin suit against Snap erstwhile HB3 first came into effect past year.

When reached for comment, TikTok US spokesperson Jamie Favazza says the institution has been engaging constructively and successful bully religion pinch Florida’s lawyer general, adding that the level “notified users nether 14 successful Florida that their accounts will beryllium suspended.”

In summation to violating the societal media law, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier claims TikTok doesn’t comply pinch user protection laws by “lying” to parents astir the contented wrong its app. “Even though videos pinch alcohol, tobacco, and supplier contented are readily disposable connected TikTok, Defendants show consumers successful the App Store that ‘alcohol, tobacco, and supplier . . . references’ are ‘infrequent/mild’ connected the platform,” the suit claims. It besides alleges TikTok designs its app to beryllium “addictive” to children and teens. TikTok, on pinch Meta and YouTube, is besides facing dozens of different lawsuits alleging it grounded to protect kids.