Iowa sues TikTok, wants only Iowans aged 17 and more to use the app

Are you under 17 years old and living in Iowa? Do you like TikTok? That's a strange question to ask a 17 year old. Soon you may not be able to use it anymore, so… Carpe Diem.

The state of Iowa is suing TikTok over allegations that the app is not suitable for children ages 12 and up, but should instead be rated 17 and up (via The edge).

The problem lies in the alleged presence of sexual content, drugs, alcohol, profanity and other inappropriate content in the application available for children. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed a lawsuit claiming that TikTok made this type of content “easily accessible” to young users and that the “12+” age rating on the Apple App Store was “inaccurate”.

The state of Iowa says that if “properly” rated, content on the wildly popular app would (and should) receive a 17+ label. The lawsuit is not acceptable with TikTok's “T” for “Teen” ratings in the Google Play Store and Microsoft Store.

“TikTok has kept parents in the dark,” Attorney General Bird said in a statement. “It's time to shine a light on TikTok that exposes young children to graphic content such as sexual content, self-harm, illegal drug use and worse. TikTok has circumvented parental blocks by misrepresenting the seriousness of its content.

State investigation found users as young as 13 can 'easily find' recipes for alcoholic drinks, 'advice and encouragement' on marijuana use, music with profanity-laced lyrics and “videos promoting eating disorders, suicide and self-defense.” -harm.” Additionally, the lawsuit claims that TikTok's Restricted Mode, which is supposed to limit content “that may not be suitable for all audiences,” does not work when enabled.