TikTok Live accused of enabling child exploitation and abuse
Utah alleges that TikTok's Live streaming feature enabled child sexual exploitation by connecting minors with predators and that internal investigations revealed hundreds of thousands of underage users and systematic grooming. TikTok reportedly knew of these harms but maintained the feature for profit.
What happened
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes alleged that TikTok's Live streaming feature creates 'virtual strip clubs' connecting child victims with sexual predators in real time. According to the lawsuit, internal investigations including Project Meramec in early 2022 found hundreds of thousands of children aged 13 to 15 streaming on the platform despite age restrictions.
Reported impact
Many children were reportedly 'groomed' by adults to perform sexual acts, sometimes involving nudity, in exchange for virtual gifts. A December 2023 internal study documented what TikTok acknowledged as 'cruelty' in maintaining Live despite risks to minors, according to the complaint.
Index analysis
TikTok reportedly knew of the harms through internal reviews but closed its eyes because of significant profits from the users, according to Utah's complaint. Project Jupiter, an investigation launched in 2021, found that criminals used Live for money laundering, drug sales, and funding terrorism including ISIS, the complaint states.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.