Pennsylvania is suing TikTok over ‘addictive’ features – but that’s messier than it sounds

TikTok’s lawsuit fits a pattern – from cigarettes to opioids – of courts stepping in where lawmakers won’t.

By: Jonathan Caulkins, Carnegie Mellon University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 9, 2026

Words: 1,289

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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By Jonathan Caulkins, Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a civil lawsuit against TikTok on Aug. 11, 2026, filed in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and accusing the social media platform of violating state consumer protection laws in ways that harm youth.

There are two central charges.

One is deceit: for example, making false statements about how much of TikTok’s content contains mature themes, and about the ability …

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