He accuses Tiktok of providing misleading information about data security and a lack of protection for younger users. The platform is a “Trojan horse” of China. An explanation from Tiktok or Bytedance was not available initially.
Indiana prosecutor Rokita criticizes that the online network specifically exposes children to objectionable content such as drug and alcohol abuse or sexual intercourse and obscenity. Tiktok uses algorithms designed to keep teens addicted to the app and encourage age-inappropriate posts.
The company therefore violates consumer protection law. Rokita is suing for injunctive relief, compensation and payment of fines. The data security procedure mainly concerns Tiktok’s links with China and the influence of the government there on the application.
Tiktok has extremely sensitive personal information of US users and claims that this information is adequately protected from the Communist Party. The lawsuit says the Chinese government has shown an interest in accessing Tiktok’s data collection. You can use it to spy on or even blackmail users in the United States.
The allegations are not new and the company has always denied them. Tiktok is the only non-US online platform with global reach. In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump threatened to ban, citing risks to national security, and tried to force-sell Tiktok’s international business.
(SDA)