TikTok has agreed to settle a landmark lawsuit accusing it of deliberately addicting children to its platform, just hours before jury selection was due to begin in California Superior Court in Los Angeles. The settlement was announced by Joseph VanZandt, a lawyer for the plaintiff, a 19-year-old from California identified as KGM.
The lawsuit, which also names Meta, Snap, and YouTube (owned by Alphabet's Google), alleges that the companies used design features borrowed from slot machines and the cigarette industry to maximise youth engagement and drive advertising revenue. The plaintiff claims she became addicted to the platforms at a young age, exacerbating her depression and suicidal thoughts.
Snap Inc., parent company of Snapchat, settled with KGM last week for an undisclosed sum. The trial will continue against Meta and YouTube, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify. The tech companies have denied the allegations, citing safeguards and arguing they are not liable for third-party content.
KGM's case is one of three bellwether trials selected from hundreds of related lawsuits. The outcome could influence how other cases are handled. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement.
