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TikTok settles Alabama safety case for at least $100m

TikTok will pay Alabama at least US$100 million to settle claims that it misled users about safety and designed its app to addict children, avoiding a trial that had been set for September 28.

Alabama’s attorney general said the total could rise to US$300 million if certain conditions are met.

TikTok also agreed to introduce a two-hour daily limit for underage users, additional parental controls, and restrictions on overnight use and cosmetic filters.

Some teen-safety measures predated the deal. TikTok had previously announced screen-time and family-control features.

The settlement comes as broader US scrutiny continues, with more than a dozen states suing TikTok over alleged harm to children and young people’s mental health.

Separately, TikTok and ByteDance in August agreed to pay US$400 million to resolve a federal children’s privacy case under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, distinct from Alabama’s state action.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

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