A lawsuit has been filed against social media giant TikTok in France, accusing the platform of using an algorithm that exposes teens to harmful content, including those promoting self-harm.
The lawsuit was filed by seven French families of seven teenage girls, two of whom died by suicide at the age of 15. The families are filing as part of a collective called Algos Victima, represented by lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion.
It is the first case of its kind in Europe. The lawsuit was first reported by Franceinfo.
What Does the Lawsuit Allege?
The collective accused the platform of promoting harmful content related to self-mutilation or eating disorders. At least one of the five women who attempted to take their own lives allegedly developed an eating disorder due to the videos on the platform.
The family of one of the girls who committed suicide, Marie, filed a criminal case in September 2023 claiming the platform's algorithm continuously exposed the teenager to harmful content linked to the bullying she experienced due to her weight. These videos, the family said, promoted and advertised "methods for self-harm" and incited suicide.
"The parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognized in court," Boutron-Marmion said. "This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product's shortcomings."
Other Lawsuits Against TikTok
The lawsuit in France is not the only one filed against TikTok. Last month, over a dozen US states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the platform, alleging that the app is damaging the mental health of its young users.
TikTok is also facing a public complaint filed by South Carolina. In newly unearthed communications in the lawsuit, it was noted that Apple privately warned TikTok to raise the age range it recommended for users as the app featured more mature content, according to a report by The Washington Post, which reviewed redacted portions of the complaint that were inadvertently made public.
Specifically, Apple pressed TikTok to raise its recommended age from the current "12 and over" to "17 and over."
