TikTok knew its livestreaming feature allowed child exploitation, state lawsuit alleges

Company's own inquiry found money laundering and children performing sexualized acts for digital currency

TikTok has long been aware that its video livestream feature has been misused to harm children, according to newly revealed details in a lawsuit brought against the social media company by the state of Utah. Those harms include child sexual exploitation and what Utah calls an open-door policy allowing predators and criminals to exploit users".

The state's attorney general says TikTok conducted an internal investigation in which it discovered adults paid teens to strip, pose, and dance provocatively" using its livestream feature, known as TikTok Live. Another internal investigation showed TikTok Live was used to launder money, sell drugs and fund terrorist groups, according to the lawsuit.