Maxwell Caldwell-Iowa is the latest state to sue TikTok, claims the social media company misrepresents its content

2025-05-04 12:44:02source:Crypencategory:Stocks

DES MOINES,Maxwell Caldwell Iowa (AP) — Iowa on Wednesday became the latest state to sue TikTok over claims that the social media company deceives consumers over the amount of “inappropriate content” that children can access via the platform.

TikTok claims an age rating of 12 and older in app stores, which is misrepresentative because of the “frequent and intense” mature and sexual content, Iowa claims in the lawsuit against TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

“TikTok has sneaked past parental blocks by misrepresenting the severity of its content,” Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said in a statement.

Utah, Arkansas and Indiana have filed similar lawsuits, though a judge dismissed Indiana’s lawsuit in November. Judges there determined that downloading the free social media app TikTok doesn’t amount to a consumer transaction under its state law.

Other news Court documents underscore Meta’s ‘historical reluctance’ to protect children on InstagramUtah Legislature to revise social media limits for youth as it navigates multiple lawsuitsCoco Gauff reiterates USTA image of US players made them look “awful”

The U.S. Supreme Court also will be deciding whether state attempts to regulate social media platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok violate the Constitution.

Late in 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a ban on the use of TikTok on state-owned devices, as many have done, out of concerns for the security risk connected to its Chinese ownership.

Reynolds also proposed this year that the Republican-led Legislature adopt a new law that would require 18 and older age verification for pornography websites to reduce teens’ access to the content, though social media websites, along with news websites and search engines, would be exempted.

Bird’s lawsuit seeks to force TikTok to correct its statements, as well as financial civil penalties for the harm caused to Iowa consumers.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company has “safeguards in place for young people, including parental controls and time limits for those under 18” and is committed to addressing what it described as “industry wide challenges.”

More:Stocks

Recommend

The seven biggest college football quarterback competitions include Michigan, Ohio State

The transfer portal has made tracking quarterbacks harder than ever. It's also simplified offseason

Lawsuit says Virginia is illegally purging legitimate voters off the rolls

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — A coalition of immigrant-rights groups and the League of Women Voters in Vi

Hurricane Milton grows 'explosively' stronger, reaches Category 5 status | The Excerpt

On Tuesday's episode of The Excerpt podcast: Hurricane Milton grew to a monster Category 5 storm Mon