TikTok loses bid to dismiss lawsuit alleging its ‘addictive design’ exploits kids

TikTok loses bid to dismiss lawsuit alleging its ‘addictive design’ exploits kids


FILE PHOTO: TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. 

Dado Ruvic | Reuters

A judge this week rejected TikTok’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit by the state of New Hampshire accusing it of using manipulative design features aimed at children and teens.

“The Court’s decision is an important step toward holding TikTok accountable for unlawful practices that put children at risk,” state Attorney General John Formella said in a statement Friday.

In his ruling Tuesday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge John Kissinger Jr. said that the state’s allegations were valid and specific enough to proceed, writing the civil claims were “based on the App’s alleged defective and dangerous features” and not the content in the app.

The state alleges that social media platform TikTok is intentionally designed to be addictive and aims to exploit its young user base.

The suit accuses the platform of implementing “addictive design features” meant to keep children engaged longer, increasing their exposure to advertisements and prompting purchases through TikTok’s e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop.

CNBC has reached out to TikTok for comment.

The case is the latest example of attorneys general targeting design elements and safety policies from tech companies instead of the content on the platforms, which is created by other users.

Meta was accused by several states of implementing addictive features across its family of apps that have detrimental effects on children’s mental health.

New Mexico filed a lawsuit against Snapchat in September, alleging the app was creating an environment where “predators can easily target children through sextortion schemes.”

In April, social-messaging platform Discord was sued by the New Jersey attorney general over misleading consumers about child safety features.

Congress has attempted to take action on regulating social media platforms, but to no avail. The Kids Online Safety Act was reintroduced to Congress in May after stalling in 2024.

The measure would require social media platforms to have a “duty of care” to prevent their products from harming children.

TikTok’s latest legal hurdle comes as its future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

In April 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to divest of TikTok or see the app banned in the U.S. The app was removed from Apple and Google app stores in January ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Since taking office, Trump has postponed enforcement of the ban and continued to push back deadlines.

In June, Trump granted ByteDance more time to sell off its U.S. TikTok operations, marking his third extension. The updated deadline is now set for September 17.

Trump also said in June that a group of “very wealthy people” is ready to buy TikTok and told reporters that he would be having discussions with China about a potential deal.

TikTok is now building a new version of its app for U.S. users, The Information reported. The standalone app is expected to operate on a separate algorithm and data system.



Source

Cybersecurity firm Netskope files to go public on the Nasdaq
Technology

Cybersecurity firm Netskope files to go public on the Nasdaq

Sanjay Beri, chief executive officer and founder of Netskope Inc., listens during a Bloomberg West television interview in San Francisco, California. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Cloud security platform Netskope will go public on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “NTSK,” the company said in an initial public offering filing Friday. The […]

Read More
Intel stock rises as Trump says chipmaker has agreed to sell stake to government
Technology

Intel stock rises as Trump says chipmaker has agreed to sell stake to government

Lip-Bu Tan, chief executive officer of Intel Corp., departs following a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Alex Wroblewski | Bloomberg | Getty Images Intel shares rose about 6% on Friday after Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is poised to announce that the U.S. government will […]

Read More
Ether surges, trading close to its record again after Powell speech teasing rate cuts
Technology

Ether surges, trading close to its record again after Powell speech teasing rate cuts

Omar Marques | Lightrocket | Getty Images The price of ether rebounded to near-record levels on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hinted at upcoming rate cuts and investors returned to risk-on mode. The second largest cryptocurrency was last higher by 12% at $4,738.91, according to Coin Metrics. Last week, ether nearly touched its […]

Read More