The state of Iowa has taken legal action against TikTok, asserting that the popular social media app has deceived parents regarding the accessibility of mature content. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, contends that TikTok is providing easy access to sexual content, drugs, alcohol, profanity, and other inappropriate materials to young users, all while maintaining a misleading “12+” age rating on the Apple App Store.
According to the lawsuit, a “12+” rating implies that an app has “infrequent/mild” sexual content, profanity, crude humor, suggestive themes, and references to substance use. However, Iowa claims that TikTok’s content does not align with this description and should, in fact, receive a “17+” label. The state also alleges that TikTok’s “T” for “Teen” ratings on the Google Play Store and Microsoft Store are similarly inaccurate.
Attorney General Bird stated, “TikTok has kept parents in the dark. It’s time we shine a light on TikTok for exposing young children to graphic materials such as sexual content, self-harm, illegal drug use, and worse. TikTok has sneaked past parental blocks by misrepresenting the severity of its content.”
A state investigation revealed that users as young as 13 can easily access content such as recipes for alcoholic drinks, advice on marijuana use, music with profane lyrics, and videos promoting harmful activities. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s Restricted Mode, designed to limit inappropriate content, is ineffective when enabled.
Iowa seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction under Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act to halt TikTok from making misleading statements about inappropriate content. The state is also pursuing civil penalties, disgorgement, and other fees.
A TikTok spokesperson in response to an email from The Verge, said, “TikTok has industry-leading safeguards in place for young people, including parental controls and time limits for those under 18. We are committed to tackling industry-wide challenges and will continue to prioritize community safety.”
This legal action follows previous accusations against TikTok, including a now-dismissed 2022 lawsuit from Indiana, alleging the app misled parents about exposing minors to sexual and drug-related content. TikTok faces multiple ongoing lawsuits, including one from Utah claiming it fosters addiction in children. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether states can legally prevent young users from signing up for the app without parental permission.
As the legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about the effectiveness of existing age rating systems on app stores and whether they adequately inform parents about the nature of the content their children may encounter. This lawsuit could potentially influence how platforms like TikTok approach age-related content restrictions and disclosure practices.
Observers note that the outcome of this case might set a precedent for similar legal actions against other social media platforms, reinforcing the idea that digital platforms should be transparent and accountable for the content accessible to underage users. It may lead to increased pressure on platforms to implement more robust age verification mechanisms and content filters.
