Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being / Photo: © AFP
-
US ambassador denounces settler siege as Israel dispatches troops
-
Taiwan chokes mobile internet speeds in drill for Chinese attack
-
Hasan takes 6-55 as Bangladesh claim opening day of Australia Test
-
From Chinese AI to Global ETFs: STARTRADER Launches 45 New 24/7 Stock and ETF CFDs
-
Taiwan says AI agents used in cyberattacks targeting island
-
Tech stocks enjoy rebound after US inflation on mixed day for markets
-
Japan protests Putin's first visit to disputed islands
-
Hasan takes 6-55 as Bangladesh bundle out Australia for 198
-
Kiss wants fit-again Wallabies playmaker Gordon to 'open up' Japan
-
Swiatek sinks Svitolina to set up Rybakina title clash in Toronto
-
British eccentrics push humble garden shed to new heights
-
Australia's Pallister shines, mixed relay record falls as Pan Pacs open
-
Zambia votes with president's economic record on the line
-
Hasan puts Bangladesh in charge as Australia struggle to 183-8
-
Germany's dry rivers spark battle on engineering vs restoration
-
Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan
-
Senators demand inquiry into conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
-
Swiatek downs Svitolina to reach first WTA final of 2026
-
All Blacks' Proctor out of South Africa series, Mo'unga called up
-
Jones says Japan 'watching videos of geese' for Australia clash
-
Bangladesh quick Hasan reduces Australia to 74-4 at lunch
-
Bloodied but unbowed, defending champ Shelton reaches Montreal final
-
Seoul tech leads Asian stock gains as traders cheer US inflation
-
Wallabies make eight changes for return Japan Test
-
Farage and Count Binface go head-to-head in snap UK poll
-
Messi returns after father's death but Miami knocked out of Leagues Cup
-
Afghan students divided over smartphone ban at universities
-
Outflanked by AI, stars fade for South Korea's blind fortune-tellers
-
Japan go back to school for second Australia Test
-
Venezuela govt, opposition wrap up round of post-Maduro talks
-
Matthew McConaughey on his sweet return to the big screen
-
Five things to know about Zambia as it goes to the polls
-
President's economic record on the line as Zambia votes
-
Nakashima holds off Jodar to book first ATP Masters final in Montreal
-
Grieving Messi available for Miami in Leagues Cup clash
-
Trump 'low-key' bets on economic pressure against Iran
-
Colombia enters 'final phase' of quake search as toll hits 265
-
Pitch invaders take selfies with Fernandes during Man Utd friendly
-
Father-figure Christie helps guide Kounta to European silver
-
No-stress Sabalenka won't fret over lackluster 2026 results
-
McIlroy returns to St. Jude to launch marathon PGA playoff push
-
Hometown hero Hudson-Smith basks in Euro glory
-
Guimaraes makes Arsenal debut in Como friendly
-
PSG down Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup
-
Travis Kelce says wedding to Taylor Swift was 'best night of my life'
-
Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt to step down
-
US stocks mostly up after data shows slightly lower inflation in July
-
'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege
-
Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
-
As millions gazed in awe, a swathe of Spain plunged into darkness
Internal TikTok documents show prioritization of traffic over well-being
TikTok teams identified harmful effects of its platform on young users but limited preventive measures so as to avoid a drop in traffic, according to internal documents revealed Friday by a US public radio station.
The documents, mentioned in a subpoena issued by the Kentucky attorney general, are part of a lawsuit filed by 13 states and Washington D.C., accusing TikTok of harming young users' mental health.
The papers reveal TikTok's awareness of its platform's appeal and its recommendation algorithm, which offers a seemingly endless chain of short videos.
One unnamed TikTok executive noted the need to be "cognizant" of the app's impact on "sleep, and eating, and moving around the room, and looking at someone in the eyes."
Kentucky Public Radio reconstructed the internal communications before a state judge ordered the documents removed from the public record.
The lawsuit claims TikTok's research found that after viewing 260 videos, a user likely became addicted to the platform.
The company's studies also correlated "compulsive usage" with negative mental health effects, including "loss of analytical skills, memory formation, contextual thinking, conversational depth, empathy, and increased anxiety."
While TikTok has implemented features to limit young users' screen time, including parental controls and a one-hour timeout, the documents suggest ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, did not seek to improve these tools despite knowing their limited effectiveness.
A TikTok project manager wrote, "Our goal is not to reduce the time spent" on the platform.
In response, TikTok called the publication of sealed court information "highly irresponsible."
"Unfortunately, this complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety," it said.
The state lawsuits come as the popular video-snippet sharing app faces a ban in the United States if it remains owned by China-based ByteDance.
The US government alleges that TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says TikTok is a conduit to spread propaganda. China and the company strongly deny these claims.
S.Keller--BTB
