Missouri AG targets TikTok over addictive algorithms aimed at kids
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Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is taking aim at TikTok, announcing a new investigation into whether the social media giant is putting children at risk through addictive features and potentially harmful content.
Hanaway announced the investigation Wednesday, saying parents deserve to know what their children are being exposed to and whether TikTok's business practices are harming their mental health.
"We won't tolerate companies that profit from addictive design at the expense of kids' mental health," Hanaway said.
The announcement adds to growing legal pressure on TikTok, which faces accusations across the country that its algorithms and endless stream of personalized videos encourage excessive use among kids.
Missouri has previously participated in a multistate investigation into TikTok's potential violations of consumer protection laws.
In 2023, then-Attorney General Andrew Bailey joined other states seeking to force the company to cooperate with investigators.
Hanaway's announcement does not establish that TikTok violated Missouri law.
The attorney general's office has since confirmed that it issued a civil investigative demand, requiring TikTok to turn over records about its recommendation algorithms, age-verification systems, data collection involving minors and internal research into children's mental health.
Investigators also want records of experiments involving young users, including whether the company deliberately designed features to keep children scrolling longer.
TikTok has until November 13 to comply. Failure to produce the requested information could result in legal penalties.
TikTok has disputed those allegations and maintains that protecting younger users is a priority.
