The lawsuit contends that TikTok downplayed the true extent of explicit material on its platform in order to have the App Store categorize it under a 12+ rating.
AG Bird recently put out a public statement, declaring that TikTok would be rated 17+ and fail to make it on parental-controlled phones, had the platform been forthcoming about its extent of on-site adult material.
Amid accusing TikTok of “sneaking past” different parental controls on minors’ phones, Iowa furthermore claimed the social media app was less than truthful about its Restricted Mode. This setting is designed to reduce access to graphic content, something which Bird maintains that TikTok fell short of accomplishing.
Back in December 2022, the platform faced similar allegations in a lawsuit from Indiana. That case fell apart in November 2023 upon a state judge’s refusal to proceed with the litigation.
An alternate version of events
Suffice it to say, the response from TikTok concerning Iowa’s lawsuit tells a different story. In a public statement, the social media platform alleged that “industry-leading safeguards” remain in effect to keep kids safe. The safeguards in question were cited as time limits and parental controls for underage users.
