TikTok to pay at least $100M in Alabama settlement over child safety claims

TikTok has agreed to a settlement with the state of Alabama that resolves a lawsuit accusing the short-form video platform of misleading users about safety risks and deliberately designing its app to foster addiction among children. The case had been scheduled for trial on Monday, but the two sides reached an agreement before proceedings began.

According to the Alabama attorney general's office, TikTok could ultimately pay the state up to $300 million total, depending on certain conditions being met. The confirmed minimum payment under the settlement is $100 million.

New restrictions for younger users

As part of the deal, TikTok has committed to introducing a two-hour daily time limit for underage users, along with expanded parental control tools. The company will also add restrictions on overnight app usage and limit access to cosmetic filters for younger users.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement that parents in the state can now feel reassured that real protections are in place to shield their children from the risks of social media addiction.

TikTok, for its part, described the settlement as building on its existing commitment to strengthening safety tools that protect teenage users.

This is not the only recent legal action involving the platform. In August, TikTok reached a separate $400 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations it violated child privacy laws.