by Lynne Terry, Oregon Capital Chronicle
October 8, 2024
Oregon is set to file a lawsuit against TikTok over allegations that the popular social media company is endangering youth and trying to addict them.
With the state’s courts closed on Tuesday for a software upgrade, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said the suit will be filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Oregon is joining 13 other attorneys general in suing the company.
The Oregon lawsuit will seek a court injunction against the popular social media company, repayment of profits and penalties up to $25,000 per violation, Rosenblum said in a release.
“Social media companies, out of basic greed, intentionally design their platforms to addict users and keep them scrolling,” Rosenblum said in a statement. “The more time users spend on the platform, the more money in Tik Tok’s pockets! Tragically, it is our youth who are most harmed by these predatory practices.”
The complaint said that TikTok’s alleged misconduct is an integral part of its business model and that it tries to maximize the time users spend on the site to boost revenues from selling ads, Rosenblum’s office said. Officials declined to release a copy of the complaint until it’s filed. They said the suit alleges that TikTok has violated Oregon’s consumer protection laws by:
“Deploying a content-recommendation system designed to be addictive to maximize the time young users spend on the platform. “Using manipulative features to exploit children’s psychological vulnerabilities and are deployed to keep kids and teens on the platform for longer.“Engaging in a scheme that deceptively markets the platform and platform features as promoting young users’ safety and well-being.”
More than 60% of teens between 13 and 17 years old use the social media site, according to a 2023 Pew Research study. It found that most teens were using TikTok daily.
“From depression and self-harm rates, to impacts on sleep, physical health and emotional well-being, we have a responsibility to look at what’s happening to our youth and hold tech companies accountable,” Rosenblum said.
The other attorneys general – both Democrats like Rosenblum and Republicans – filing similar suits are from California, New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
To date, 23 state attorneys general have filed actions against TikTok, including existing actions filed by Utah, Nevada, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and Texas.
Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: [email protected]. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.