Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican, has sued TikTok in state court in St. Lucie County, alleging the ByteDance-owned platform breaches a state statute designed to protect young users. The lawsuit contends that TikTok knowingly permits minors below age 14 to access the service and misrepresents the extent of violent and sexual material that children encounter on the application.
Uthmeier stated in a press release that TikTok "knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law," emphasizing his administration's firm stance on corporate accountability regarding child welfare. The legal action requests a court judgment compelling TikTok to modify its operations to align with state requirements, along with compensation for damages sustained.
TikTok's response acknowledged ongoing communication with state officials. A company representative stated that the platform has notified Florida-based users under 14 that their accounts face suspension and that the company is implementing adjustments to comply with the statute. The spokesperson further asserted TikTok's commitment to protecting minors and pledged to contest the allegations vigorously.
The complaint references H.B. 3, legislation that became effective in January 2025, which mandates social media companies prohibit accounts for users younger than 14 and demand parental authorization for users aged 14 to 16. This lawsuit follows Florida's earlier action against Snap in 2025 for allegedly engineering features that encourage addiction among children and permitting accounts for users 13 and under.
TikTok confronts comparable legal challenges from over 25 state attorneys general across the United States, primarily based on consumer protection statutes and allegations that the platform's design deliberately fosters dependency among adolescents. The company previously settled litigation brought by a Kentucky school district for USD 8 million and resolved claims from a woman who asserted the platform's addictive qualities contributed to her depression and anxiety, though TikTok did not acknowledge wrongdoing in either case.
