TikTok faced accusations of prioritizing profits over child safety, with internal documents revealing knowledge of widespread child exploitation on its live platform.
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| Utah lawsuit claims TikTok knowingly allowed its live streaming platform to be exploited for child sexual abuse, despite internal warnings. Image/Illustration: ChicHue |
Salt Lake City, Utah - January 4, 2025:
A lawsuit filed by the state of Utah alleges that TikTok was aware its live video streaming feature was being used to exploit children but chose to ignore the issue due to the significant profits generated.
The allegations were made public on Friday, just days before a scheduled TikTok ban in the United States. The lawsuit, filed by the state's Division of Consumer Protection, claims TikTok Live created an environment where children were groomed and coerced into performing sexual acts for virtual gifts.
Internal documents cited in the lawsuit reveal TikTok was aware of these dangers. Project Meramec, an internal investigation, found that hundreds of thousands of 13-15-year-olds were circumventing age restrictions and engaging in sexually suggestive content.
Furthermore, Project Jupiter, another internal investigation, uncovered the use of TikTok Live for illegal activities such as money laundering, drug sales, and even the funding of terrorism.
Despite these findings, TikTok continued to operate Live, prioritizing profits over the safety of its young users.
This lawsuit adds further fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding TikTok's safety and its potential impact on children.