A judge has denied TikTok’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
The action clears a major procedural hurdle and moves the case against the social media platform giant closer to trial.
The court ruled the company’s design choices, marketing representations and commercial conduct were directed at Kentucky residents and subject to the court’s jurisdiction.
“The court also rejected TikTok’s other arguments for dismissal, holding that the commonwealth had presented sufficient facts to show that TikTok intentionally designed its platform to exploit developmental vulnerabilities in young users, failed to address the easy accessibility to child sexual abuse material, and content moderation and safety features were misrepresented by company executives,” according to the attorney general’s office.
In 2024, Attorney General Russell Coleman filed a lawsuit against the social media platform and its affiliated entities for their exploitation of Kentucky’s young people.
By addicting young people to spend endless hours on the platform, TikTok can target them with an endless stream of ads and collect a hefty profit.
In 2022, TikTok reportedly had nearly 100 million U.S. monthly active users and generated an estimated $9.4 billion in revenue, the attorney general’s office said in a press release.
According to the lawsuit, TikTok engaged in predatory behavior to suck in minors, leading to depression, anxiety, altered development, lack of sleep and more.
“We’ve alleged for two years that TikTok built an addiction machine, targeting our children. This ruling is a critical victory in our fight to hold TikTok accountable and protect Kentucky’s young people,” Coleman said.
The lawsuit is entirely separate from the federal matter over TikTok’s ownership.
Read the judge’s ruling here.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
