TikTok settles Alabama child safety case for at least $100 million

Social media company TikTok has agreed to a settlement with the state of Alabama regarding claims of misleading users about safety and designing its app to addict children. The agreement avoids a trial scheduled for September 28 and includes a payment of at least $100 million to the state.

Alabama's attorney general stated that the total amount could reach up to $300 million if certain conditions are met. The lawsuit alleged that TikTok's app features were harmful to minors.

As part of the settlement, TikTok will implement a two-hour daily time limit for users under 18. The company will also enhance parental controls and introduce restrictions on overnight use and cosmetic filters. Some of these teen-safety measures were previously announced by TikTok.

The settlement comes amid ongoing scrutiny from other U.S. states, with more than a dozen having filed lawsuits against TikTok concerning alleged harm to the mental health of young people. Separately, TikTok and its parent company ByteDance agreed in August to pay $400 million to resolve a federal privacy case under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).