Utah Governor Files Lawsuit Against TikTok
Utah Governor Spencer Cox filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the social media app is “baiting” child users into engaging in unhealthy and addictive social media habits.
Back in 2022, Indiana sued TikTok claiming that the Chinese-owned company exposes children to inappropriate content and makes the user’s data accessible to China. This later prompted TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to testify before Congress and defend the application against a federal ban in the United States.
This current lawsuit brought forth by the state of Utah claims that following an investigation, the social media giant illegally baits children into addictive and unhealthy use, blatantly misrepresents the app’s safety, and deceptively portrays itself as independent when really it is owned by its China-based parent company ByteDance.
The lawsuit also points out how TikTok is designed to hook young users on the app to endlessly scroll in an addictive manner.
It’s a no-brainer to say that TikTok is not a healthy app for children (or even adults). The app is cleverly designed to consume users and prevent them from putting their phones down. The app’s algorithm prompts content that is carefully curated for each distinctive user. TikTok is truly a well-oiled propaganda machine from multiple angles whether political or cultural.
“We will not stand by while these companies fail to take adequate, meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary,” Utah Governor Spencer Cox said.
The Utah Governor’s decision to go after TikTok is part of a larger agenda designed to combat big tech companies that prey on children. Recently, the state required adult sites like PornHub to require age verification for all users in the state of Utah.
