Alabama is taking TikTok and parent ByteDance to trial in Montgomery on Monday, the first case against TikTok in the broader social-media litigation to reach a jury. The state alleges the app’s design and recommendations have worsened teen mental health.
Alabama says TikTok’s endless scroll is more habit-forming than any other social platform and that its algorithm directs minors to violent and self-harm-related content, which the state links to worsening teen mental health and rising statewide emergency-room admissions for self-injury. The suit also alleges TikTok misrepresented limits on young users’ access to sexual and violent content and misled users about Chinese-government access to their data. Alabama seeks financial penalties and other relief. TikTok says teen safety is a priority and argues Section 230 shields platforms from liability for user-created content. Testimony is expected to last two to three weeks.
At least 27 other states and Washington, D.C., have filed actions against TikTok, and Alabama’s trial could offer a rare look inside the company’s operations. Reuters reports Meta settled claims from 47 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories last month for $17.1 billion without admitting liability; $5 billion is tied to whether TikTok, Snap and YouTube agree to equivalent conditions. TikTok has not publicly commented on the settlement.
