TikTok to pay $100m and limit daily child usage in Alabama settlement

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to pay the state of Alabama $100 million and implement several modifications to limit child usage in the state, as part of a lawsuit settlement. The agreement was reached just before a trial was scheduled to commence on Monday, concluding a case alleging that TikTok intentionally designs its features to addict children.

The company must now install various safety features, including a two-hour daily usage limit for children and restrictions during overnight and school hours. The changes will only be enforced in Alabama, marking TikTok's first settlement with a U.S. state. Katherine Robertson, chief counsel in the Alabama Attorney General’s office, expressed satisfaction with the deal, stating that it represents "very restrictive injunctive relief" aimed at changing policies deemed detrimental to childhood.

The new time limits and usage blocks will take effect immediately, while other modifications, such as age verification measures, have a one-year implementation deadline. TikTok will also establish measures to enable parents to heavily moderate their children's usage, restrict certain content, and verify the age of young users. Additionally, TikTok will limit children's accounts from being discovered by adults and notify parents of suspicious interactions between teen users and adult users.

A total ban on cosmetic filters for children will also be implemented. TikTok's spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to creating a safe and positive space for users, stating that the settlement reinforces their ongoing efforts to enhance safety tools protecting teens. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok in China, also participated in the settlement, as it remains a minority owner of the U.S. joint venture.