In a groundbreaking legal development, the state of Utah has revealed disturbing new details in its ongoing lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of knowingly allowing its livestream feature to exploit children and facilitate harmful, sexually exploitative behavior. Newly unsealed court documents, made public on Friday, shed light on TikTok’s alleged inaction despite internal knowledge that its platform posed serious risks to minors.
The lawsuit, originally filed in June by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection and led by state Attorney General Sean Reyes, claims that TikTok’s Live streaming feature functioned like a “virtual strip club,” connecting vulnerable children to adult predators in real-time. The state’s legal complaint now outlines how TikTok turned a blind eye to the exploitation in favor of profit, all while being fully aware of the increasing dangers posed to minors on its platform.
According to the recently unredacted complaint, internal TikTok communications and compliance reports from 2022 revealed how the platform became aware of widespread issues involving children. One investigation, Project Meramec, uncovered that hundreds of thousands of children aged 13 to 15 were bypassing TikTok’s age restrictions to access its Live feature. These young users, once on the platform, were allegedly groomed by adults to perform sexually explicit acts, sometimes involving nudity, in exchange for virtual gifts.
Further findings from Project Jupiter, launched in 2021, pointed to TikTok’s livestream feature being used for illegal activities beyond sexual exploitation. According to the complaint, criminals were utilizing the app to launder money, sell drugs, and even fund terrorism, including efforts linked to the Islamic State.
The lawsuit also references a December 2023 internal TikTok study which acknowledged the platform’s responsibility for “the cruelty” caused by its Live feature, admitting that it continued to operate despite the grave risks to minors.
In response to the allegations, TikTok maintains that it has implemented numerous measures to ensure user safety. A spokesperson for the company emphasized the platform’s ongoing commitment to “community safety and well-being,” criticizing the lawsuit for using misleading information and taking TikTok’s internal reports out of context.
“TikTok is dedicated to preventing harm and maintaining the safety of its community. The claims presented in this lawsuit overlook the proactive steps we have taken to address these concerns,” the spokesperson stated, noting that the company has invested heavily in protective features aimed at safeguarding young users.
However, Utah officials, including Attorney General Reyes, remain firm in their stance, asserting that TikTok’s internal documents contradict the company’s public claims. “Thanks to Judge Coral Sanchez’s ruling, more of TikTok’s shocking conduct will now be public through this unredacted complaint,” said Reyes. “The full extent of its culpability can be demonstrated at trial.”
The revelations about TikTok’s livestream dangers come amid increasing bipartisan scrutiny of the app. In October 2023, a coalition of 13 U.S. states and Washington D.C. filed a separate lawsuit accusing TikTok of exploiting children and addicting them to the platform. State attorneys general have argued that TikTok’s algorithm and design are specifically tailored to keep young users engaged, potentially leading to severe mental health consequences and fostering harmful behaviors.
Reyes, who has been a vocal critic of TikTok’s impact on children, reiterated his concerns: “Social media is too often the tool for exploiting America’s young people.”
The ongoing legal battle is further complicated by the U.S. government’s broader concerns regarding TikTok’s potential ties to the Chinese government. In April 2023, President Joe Biden signed a law authorizing a nationwide TikTok ban unless the app’s China-based owner, ByteDance, sells its stake in the platform. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether to temporarily block the ban on January 10, with a swift decision expected.
TikTok’s future in the United States hangs in the balance, with its practices under increased legal and regulatory scrutiny. As the case against the company progresses, the unsealing of these court documents could serve as a turning point in holding the social media giant accountable for its role in exploiting children for profit.
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