Minnesota has joined a growing wave of states suing TikTok, accusing the popular video-sharing platform of addicting young users.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced the lawsuit on Aug. 19, likening TikTok to “digital nicotine” that keeps users hooked at the expense of their health.
“Just like big tobacco designs its products to addict, TikTok is working to create TikTok addicts, and the worst part is it’s working,” Ellison said at a press conference. “TikTok is profiting, making big money, and our kids are paying a heavy price.”
TikTok is immensely popular among young Americans. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that 63 percent of teenagers aged 13–17 use the app, with 58 percent using it on a daily basis. A Harvard study showed that in 2022 alone, U.S. users under 18 generated more than $2 billion in ad revenue for TikTok, making up more than one-third of its total advertising revenue that year.
According to the complaint, TikTok’s alleged misconduct stems from its business model that focuses on maximizing young users’ time on the platform to boost revenue from selling targeted advertising space. Ellison said this design can lead to “compulsive and excessive use” that leaves children “mentally, physically, and financially injured.”
The suit alleges violations of Minnesota’s consumer protection laws and seeks monetary damages, including a $25,000-per-violation fine. It does not specify how many violations may have occurred.
The state is also asking the court to bar TikTok from what it calls “deceptive and unfair or unconscionable” practices.
TikTok rejected allegations that it has knowingly ignored the danger of its platform or misrepresented the app’s safety.
“This lawsuit is based on misleading and inaccurate claims that fail to recognize the robust safety measures TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support the well-being of our community,” company spokesperson Nathaniel Brown said in a statement.
“Teen accounts on TikTok come with 50+ features and settings designed to help young people safely express themselves, discover, and learn.
“Through our Family Pairing tool, parents can view or customize 20+ content and privacy settings, including screen time, content filters, and our time away feature to pause a teen’s access to our app.”
The Minnesota lawsuit adds to a series of cases brought by almost half of U.S. states—ranging from liberal California to conservative Texas—accusing TikTok of exploiting children’s attention spans, personal data, and even money while downplaying the risks.
Beyond concerns about children’s mental health, TikTok’s future in the United States also remains uncertain because of persistent national security issues. Lawmakers from both parties have warned that TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, could be compelled under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law to hand over the massive amount of U.S. user data or manipulate the platform’s algorithm to sway public opinion.
In March 2024, Congress overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan law barring U.S. app stores from hosting TikTok unless ByteDance divests itself from the platform. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the divest-or-ban law, ruling that the measure does not violate the First Amendment.
After taking office, President Donald Trump delayed enforcement of the law, giving ByteDance 75 days to find a non-Chinese, U.S.-based buyer for the app. That deadline has since been extended multiple times, with the most recent 90-day extension set to expire on Sept. 17.
This article was originally published by The Epoch Times.
Bill Pan | The Epoch Times
Bill Pan is a reporter for The Epoch Times.
