State of Utah: TikTok exploits children with live broadcasts
TikTok has long known that its video livestreams encouraged sexual behavior and exploited children, according to a lawsuit filed by the US state of Utah. However, it is claimed that he turned a blind eye to this situation because he profited significantly from this practice.
These allegations were made public as TikTok approached its scheduled date of banning it in the United States on Jan. 19 unless ByteDance, its China-based owner, sells the popular social media app. President-elect Donald Trump asked the US Supreme Court to stop this ban.
TikTok, on the other hand, stated that it has made safe live broadcasting a priority.
ACCUSES AGAINST THE APPLICATION
The original lawsuit accusing Utah of child exploitation was filed last June by the state’s Office of Consumer Protection. State’s Attorney Sean Reyes said the TikTok Live streaming feature creates an “artistic strip club” by connecting victims with adult predators in real time. The complaint, which was made largely uncensored on Friday, noted that TikTok learned of the threats to its Live feature through a series of internal reviews.
It was stated that an investigation called Project Meramec, conducted in early 2022, revealed how hundreds of thousands of 13-15 year old children exceeded Live’s minimum age restrictions. Many children were allegedly encouraged to perform sexual acts, sometimes involving nudity, by adults in exchange for virtual gifts. An investigation called Project Jupiter, launched in 2021, revealed that criminals were using Live to launder money, sell drugs and finance terrorism.
PRIVACY CONCERNS AND JUDICIAL DECISION
It is also stated that an internal study conducted in December 2023 documented that TikTok acknowledged the “cruelty” of continuing Live with its current risks. TikTok has disputed the disclosures, citing privacy concerns and an interest in preventing “potential bad actors from gaining a roadmap” to prevent misuse of the app. Utah state judge Coral Sanchez ordered the release of much of the previously censored material on December 19.
“This lawsuit ignores the proactive measures TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support community safety and well-being. Instead, the complaint selectively takes misleading quotes and outdated documentation out of context and distorts our commitment to the safety of our community,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
TIKTOK BAN IN THE USA
In October, a bipartisan group of 13 US states and Washington, D.C. filed a separate lawsuit accusing TikTok of exploiting children and getting them addicted to the app. “Social media is a tool too often used to exploit America’s youth. Thanks to Judge Sanchez’s decision, more of TikTok’s shocking behavior will now be made public through this uncensored complaint. The full extent of his culpability can be demonstrated in court,” Reyes said. .
President Joe Biden signed a law authorizing the TikTok ban last April, addressing concerns that TikTok could collect intelligence on American users and share it with the Chinese government. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on January 10 on whether to halt the ban. The court is expected to make a quick decision after President Donald Trump’s statements to reconsider the blocking.