PA Joins Multi-State TikTok Probe

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania has joined a multi-state investigation into TikTok to see if its usage harms young users and whether TikTok knew about any harms. The probe will focus on techniques TikTok might have used to increase young users' frequency of the platform use and their time spent on it.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said he has joined a coalition of attorneys general across the country in examining whether TikTok practices violated state consumer protection laws.

“Parents and children deserve to know the risks associated with these platforms," Shapiro said in a statement. "If TikTok is found to have prioritized business growth over the physical and emotional well being of Pennsylvania’s children, they will be held responsible for that.”

Last year, a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urged Facebook to scrap plans for an Instagram version for children under 13; they also launched a probe into the impact of Instagram on youths.

Leading the TikTok investigation are attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.