North Carolina Business Court Advances State's Lawsuit Against TikTok

North Carolina's legal battle against TikTok took a significant step forward as the state's Business Court denied the social media giant's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

 

Judge Adam Conrad issued a 29-page order rejecting TikTok's arguments, emphasizing the state's authority to address alleged harms caused by the platform.

 

The lawsuit, initiated by then-Attorney General Josh Stein in 2024, accuses TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, of designing the app to be addictive to minors, leading to negative impacts on their mental health.

 

Judge Conrad highlighted that if the state's allegations hold true, ByteDance has intentionally addicted millions of children to a product known to disrupt cognitive development and exacerbate risks of self-harm.

 

He further stated that federal law does not immunize this conduct, the First Amendment does not bless it, and North Carolina's laws and courts are not powerless to address it.

 

As of 2023, nearly 1 million North Carolinians aged 13 to 17 were using TikTok.

 

The platform's design features, such as the 'For You Page,' are allegedly tailored to exploit minors' developmental immaturity, inducing compulsive use.

 

Judge Conrad noted that TikTok's algorithm records user interactions to maximize engagement, making the app addictive in a manner similar to gambling.

 

The state asserts that ByteDance unfairly designed TikTok to be addictive to minors despite knowing the associated harms.

 

Additionally, it claims that ByteDance misrepresented TikTok's safety features and community guidelines, falsely assuring the app's safety for young users.

 

Judge Conrad dismissed TikTok's argument that North Carolina courts lack jurisdiction over the case.

 

He pointed out that ByteDance advertises widely in the state, makes TikTok available there, and fosters ongoing relationships with its users, amounting to purposeful exploitation of the North Carolina market.

 

The judge also rejected TikTok's claims of federal immunity and First Amendment protection.

 

He emphasized that the consumers in question are minors, not mature adults, and that ByteDance allegedly designed TikTok to exploit their vulnerabilities, inducing addictive use and depriving them of free choice.

 

Current Attorney General Jeff Jackson has continued to defend the state's position, filing motions to counter TikTok's attempts to dismiss the case.

 

As the lawsuit progresses, it underscores the growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their impact on young users.

 

North Carolina's legal actions reflect a broader national conversation about the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding the mental health of minors.

 

Parents and educators in the state are closely monitoring the case, hopeful that it will lead to more stringent regulations and protections for children using social media platforms.

 

As the proceedings continue, the outcome could set a precedent for how states can hold tech companies accountable for the well-being of their youngest users.