21 October 2024

TikTok executives know about app’s effect on teens, lawsuit documents allege

Bobby Allyn, Sylvia Goodman & Dara Kerr

Unredacted documents show TikTok is aware of the dangers caused by its app.Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images

For the first time, internal TikTok communications have been made public that show a company unconcerned with the harms the app poses for American teenagers. This is despite its own research validating many child safety concerns.

The confidential material was part of a more than two-year investigation into TikTok by 14 attorneys general that led to state officials suing the company on Tuesday. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok was designed with the express intention of addicting young people to the app. The states argue the multi-billion-dollar company deceived the public about the risks.

In each of the separate lawsuits state regulators filed, dozens of internal communications, documents and research data were redacted — blacked-out from public view — since authorities entered into confidentiality agreements with TikTok.

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