Florida Sues TikTok Over Alleged Violations and Deceptive Practices

Florida officials have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the app has misled parents about content shown through its algorithm and violated the state’s online child protection laws. The suit, initiated in a state court in St. Lucie County, claims the app allowed children under 14 to create accounts. This is contrary to Florida law, according to a court filing sourced by Fox News Digital.

According to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, TikTok’s success relies on addicting children and teenagers. He stated, “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law.” Florida is demanding a court order to have TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, adjust its platform to comply with state requirements, and seeks penalties of up to $50,000 for each alleged violation.

The lawsuit accuses TikTok of deliberately misleading Florida parents about the risks of their teens using the platform. It highlights the frequent exposure to harmful content like pornography and drug use through the app’s algorithms. The suit noted that inappropriate music, videos, and messages featuring intense profanity and self-harm are easily accessible to young users.

Florida’s lawsuit emphasizes TikTok’s reliance on algorithms that exploit addictive behaviors among young users. A TikTok spokesperson responded to Fox News Digital, noting the company’s communication with the state attorney general to ensure compliance with Florida law. TikTok stated that accounts for users under 14 would be suspended and expressed readiness to defend its safety record for minors.

This lawsuit adds Florida to over 25 states, including New York and California, filing against TikTok for similar allegations. The legal action references Florida’s H.B. 3 law effective from January 1, 2025, which bans social media accounts for users under 14 without parental approval for minors under 16.

Previously, a federal judge blocked enforcement of this law, labeling it unconstitutional, yet the decision is under ongoing appeal. Florida had also sued Snap Inc., owner of Snapchat, over similar issues regarding targeting users under 13. This lawsuit is still pending.