Tiktok Knew Its Algorithm Harmed Kids, Accidentally Revealed Internal Documents Show

kniemeyer@insider.com (Kenneth Niemeyer,Laura Italiano), Business Insider
Fri, 10/11/2024 - 2:28pm

TikTok is facing a multi-state lawsuit that says its algorithm is addictive and harmful to children.VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty ImagesAttorneys general from 14 states are suing TikTok for harming children's mental health.Internal research accidentally revealed this week indicates TikTok knew its algorithm was harmful.Lawyers for children harmed by social media say the apps have long known they are hurting kids.Details from a multi-state investigation into TikTok accidentally became public this week, revealing officials at the wildly popular video app knew they were harming American teens, according to a new report.The incriminating internal documents became public when reporters for Kentucky Public Radio realized that redacted sections of court documents instantly became unredacted when copied and pasted into a new text file, NPR reported Friday.The court documents were from Kentucky's portion of Tuesday's coordinated 14-state effort to sue TikTok for what officials say is an addictive algorithm that endangers the mental and physical health of the children who use the app.According to NPR, TikTok's internal documents show officials at parent company ByteDance discussing internal studies that show the app can harm children.Young users can become addicted to the app after viewing 260 videos on the platform, TikTok employees determined, according to the documents.

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BING NEWS:
  • Leaked Documents: TikTok Knew Algorithm Had Harmful Effects On Children
    Popular social media platform TikTok was aware of the potential harm its algorithm could inflict on minors, according to internal documents that were unintentionally made public. What Happened: The ...
    10/13/2024 - 8:09 am | View Link
  • Shocking revelations about teens in redacted TikTok documents
    A trove of secret documents show teens’ increasing reliance on TikTok and how executives were acutely aware of the potential harm the app can cause young people, but appeared unconcerned.
    10/13/2024 - 5:39 am | View Link
  • TikTok Knew Young User Safeguards Were Ineffective, Legal Document Shows
    TikTok was aware that its design features are detrimental to its young users and that publicly touted tools aimed at limiting kids’ time on the site were largely ineffective, according to internal ...
    10/12/2024 - 11:29 am | View Link
  • TikTok knew its algorithm harmed kids, accidentally revealed internal documents show
    Officials across 14 states are suing TikTok for what they say is an addictive algorithm that endangers children's mental and physical health.
    10/11/2024 - 10:28 am | View Link
  • TikTok knew depth of app’s risks to children, court document alleges
    More than a dozen state attorneys have sued TikTok, accusing the platform of using addictive product features.
    10/11/2024 - 4:02 am | View Link
  • More

 

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