A lawsuit filed by Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes accuses TikTok of enabling the sexual exploitation of children through its livestreaming feature. TikTok Live allows users to post live videos where they can interact with viewers in real time and receive monetary gifts. The lawsuit claims that the app operates like a virtual strip club where children may be encouraged to engage in illicit acts on camera in exchange for payments. It also alleges that TikTok has insufficient age verification measures to ensure the app is being used safely.
The complaint states that TikTok has known about pervasive issues with involving transactional sexual content during live sessions, especially with children, since before December 2023. TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes defended the platform’s safety measures, stating that creators must be at least 18 years old and meet follower requirements before going live. TikTok immediately revokes access to features for accounts that do not meet age requirements. This is the second lawsuit filed by Utah against TikTok for putting children at risk, with the first lawsuit alleging harm to the mental health of young users.
The new lawsuit comes as TikTok faces challenges in the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law requiring the Chinese-owned app to be sold to a new company or be banned from US app stores. TikTok has sued to block the law, claiming it violates the First Amendment. The lawsuit claims that TikTok has been aware of the misuse of its live feature but has not taken adequate steps to address the issue. An investigator found underage girls providing sexually suggestive content for money and young boys posing as girls to receive gifts on the live feature.
The lawsuit also alleges that children may be manipulated into sending monetary gifts on the live feature with the promise of likes, shout outs, goods, or interactions from livestream hosts. Utah’s attorney general is seeking a jury trial for the case. Overall, the lawsuit accuses TikTok of facilitating the sexual exploitation of children through its livestreaming feature and failing to adequately address safety concerns. TikTok has defended its safety measures and policies but faces legal challenges and accusations of harm to young users’ well-being.
