‘People have died’: TikTok sued by 13 US states on behalf of young users

The lawsuits, filed separately on Tuesday in the different states, accuse TikTok of using intentionally addictive software and seek financial penalties against the company.

“TikTok claims that their platform is safe for young people, but that is far from true,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is co-leading the effort with California’s attorney general.

“In New York and across the country, young people have died or gotten injured doing dangerous TikTok challenges and many more are feeling more sad, anxious and depressed because of TikTok’s addictive features.”

TikTok, which boasts more than 170 million US-based users, on Tuesday said many of the claims made were “inaccurate and misleading” and that it remained “deeply committed to the work we’ve done to protect teens”.

Tuesday’s development marks the latest legal headache for TikTok.