The state of Iowa is suing TikTok, accusing the social media company of misleading parents about the kind of content it makes available to young users.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a lawsuit accusing TikTok of hosting “sexual content, drugs, alcohol, strong profanity, messages of self-harm and other X-rated content” that children and teenagers can easily view Age-inappropriate videos in the state. “TikTok is telling Iowa parents and Iowa children that inappropriate content on its platform, including drugs, nudity, alcohol and profanity, is ‘not common,’” the lawsuit says, slamming the claims as “lies ”.
The state specifically questioned TikTok’s age rating in the app market. According to Apple, apps rated 12+ in the App Store may contain “uncommon mild language; frequent or intense cartoon, fantasy, or realistic violence; mild or rare mature or suggestive themes; and simulated gambling , may not be suitable for children under 12 years of age.”
During a study of what content 13-year-olds might be exposed to on the app, the state noted that content it is prone to showing up on TikTok includes “women.”
Dancing provocatively in a thong bikini, including close-up butt and crotch shots,” Jungle Juice recipes and advice on using cannabis and psilocybin. While thong bikinis may not strike fear into the hearts of all parents, the lawsuit also notes that the attorney general’s office has uncovered videos promoting self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders — all dangerous forms of content that have put social media apps under scrutiny by regulators strict review. Last few years.
For Apple, the next age rating is 17+, which opens the door to more “offensive language,” sexual content, nudity, alcohol and drugs. Providing age ratings for social apps has always been more of an art than a science, but Iowa believes TikTok intentionally misrepresented itself to parents.
In suing TikTok, Iowa is seeking an injunction under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act, forcing the company to end “deceptive, misleading, false and unfair statements and conduct” related to content that parents expect. , because of TikTok’s own community guidelines and its age ratings Apple’s App Store as well as Google Play and Microsoft’s software stores.
The lawsuit also criticizes TikTok’s age-restricted model for younger users, saying it fails to adequately filter mature content:
“Restricted mode does not work and never worked as TikTok claims. With Restricted mode enabled, users (even those logged in as 13 years old) can see adult content (sexual content) on the TikTok app content, nudity, adult and suggestive themes, profanity, and content related to alcohol, tobacco, and drugs), including content not explicitly requested by the user that is served in the algorithm-driven For You Feed.”
TikTok touts one of its safety tools for parents, ‘Restricted Mode'[ing] For example, be exposed to content that may not be suitable for everyone because it contains mature or complex subject matter. “
The Iowa lawsuit is the latest state-level lawsuit against the social media company. Last year, Montana’s governor targeted TikTok over concerns about its ties to China, but a judge blocked a statewide ban that had been set to take effect in 2024. Iowa is the latest state to sue the app over concerns about content on its service, which targets underage users, joining Indiana, Arkansas and Utah.
