New York Alleges TikTok Conducted Placebo Safety Feature Experiments on Minors
New York has alleged that TikTok conducted experiments using non-functional safety features on thousands of users, including children and teens. The company reportedly tested a feature called 'Algo Refresh,' which was supposed to reset content recommendations for users seeking safer browsing experiences but did not function as intended in some cases. According to the lawsuit unsealed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, TikTok assured users that safety is a priority while allegedly preventing certain groups from accessing these tools effectively. The allegations are part of broader legal actions against TikTok across multiple states for misleading claims about platform safety and its impact on young users. Internally, some employees reportedly raised concerns over the ethical implications of conducting such tests. The lawsuit also mentions that TikTok studied user behavior during these experiments to assess engagement metrics like time spent on the app. TikTok has denied New York's allegations in court filings but agreed earlier this year to a $300 million settlement with Alabama and changes to its platform for teens there.
Topics: child safety experimentation platform regulation TikTok