World · Malaysia Bureau
TikTok settles Alabama child safety lawsuit for US$100 million
The video-sharing platform has agreed to pay the US state of Alabama US$100 million and implement new parental controls to resolve allegations of inadequate child safety protections. The settlement avoids a trial over claims that TikTok failed to protect minors from harmful content.
LSN Malaysia ·
TikTok has reached a pre-trial settlement with Alabama authorities, agreeing to pay US$100 million to resolve a lawsuit centring on child safety concerns. The agreement marks a significant development in ongoing scrutiny of the Chinese-owned platform's practices regarding minors' access to its service.
Under the settlement terms, TikTok will implement new restrictions on children's access to the platform, including a two-hour daily usage limit and blocking access between midnight and 6 a.m. These measures are designed to protect younger users from excessive screen time and late-night usage patterns.
The platform has also committed to enhancing parental controls, though specific details of these safeguards were not disclosed. The settlement sidesteps a full trial, allowing both TikTok and Alabama state authorities to avoid prolonged legal proceedings.
The case reflects broader concerns among US regulators and child advocacy groups about social media platforms' responsibility in protecting minors from potentially harmful content, including material that could promote self-harm or eating disorders. TikTok has previously faced similar allegations and regulatory challenges across multiple jurisdictions regarding its handling of child safety issues.
The settlement represents one of the largest financial penalties TikTok has faced in the United States, underscoring mounting pressure on major social media platforms to demonstrate stronger protections for younger users.