Raleigh, North Carolina – TikTok is asking North Carolina’s Supreme Court to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the social media platform of intentionally designing features that addict young users and misrepresenting the app’s safety for teens.
The dispute stems from a 2024 lawsuit filed by North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and other state officials nationwide alleging TikTok’s algorithm and autoplay features contribute to declining youth mental health. The lawsuit claims the company violated state consumer protection laws by creating addictive engagement systems targeting minors.
TikTok argues North Carolina courts do not have jurisdiction because the company does not specifically operate or design the app within the state. In court filings this week, TikTok said merely making an app available nationwide should not allow every state court to hear claims against out-of-state technology companies.
The company warned that allowing the lawsuit to proceed could expose businesses nationwide to lawsuits anywhere users access their products online. TikTok compared the situation to newspapers or software firms that operate nationally through digital platforms.
A lower court judge rejected TikTok’s request for dismissal last year, ruling the company actively markets and maintains relationships with users in North Carolina.
The legal battle mirrors similar nationwide lawsuits against major technology companies, including Meta, over claims that social media platforms intentionally use addictive design features harmful to minors.
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