Alabama said on Friday (Sep 25) it had reached a settlement with TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, that requires the social media platform to impose new usage limits and enhanced age-verification measures for users in the state, resolving claims that the platform endangered children and misled consumers about its safety.
The agreement, which came days before a scheduled trial, calls for TikTok to implement changes for teenagers in Alabama including a two-hour daily time limit, pauses after 15 minutes of use and stricter age checks.
TikTok will pay Alabama at least US$100 million under the settlement, but the state's payout could grow to US$300 million if 40 other attorneys general sign on to similar agreements with the company within a specified timeframe, according to the settlement.
"This builds on our commitment and core objective to continually enhance our robust safety tools to protect teens," a spokesperson for TikTok's US operations said in a statement.
Guess WordCrack the word, one row at a timeBuzzwordCreate words using the given lettersMini SudokuTiny puzzle, mighty brain teaserMini CrosswordSmall grid, big challengeWord SearchSpot as many words as you can Show More Show LessThe deal marks TikTok's first settlement with a state in the sweeping litigation over social media's impact on teen well-being. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sued the company last year, and at least 27 other states and Washington, DC, have brought similar lawsuits.
"This is a great day for Alabama parents," Marshall said in announcing the agreement.