Hawaii has joined a growing number of states taking a stand against the world's largest social media company, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The state's lawsuit alleges that ByteDance is exploiting its massive user base, estimated at over 1 billion worldwide, including more than 150 million users in the United States alone. The core of the state's claims revolves around the assertion that ByteDance engages in false marketing and promotional tactics to financially benefit from its users.
This legal action, as detailed by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, could have wide-ranging implications for Hawaii's business landscape. The lawsuit suggests an examination of how big tech companies operate and their impact on local consumers, particularly young users who frequent the platform. The suit further alleges that there is a large child population that is being taken advantage of.
The lawsuit highlights concerns surrounding the platform's design and its potential effects on users, especially the younger audience. It is related to a suit made by Washington state. According to CNBC, the lawsuit is about design and safety policies from tech companies as well as the content on the platforms created by users. This approach against TikTok reflects a wider trend of legal scrutiny targeting the business practices of social media platforms.
