New York Claims TikTok Offers Users Illusory Safety Features

New York is accusing TikTok of providing thousands of users, including children and teenagers, with “ghost” versions of its safety features instead of the fully functional ones. This allegation is part of an updated version of New York’s 2024 lawsuit against TikTok, which was later unsealed by a judge.

The new claims suggest that TikTok’s “experiment” prevented some users from accessing important features, such as the ability to reset their algorithm, which could help them avoid harmful content in their feeds. Users involved in the experiment thought they had activated the feature, but their feeds remained unchanged, unlike those who received the fully operational version. Additionally, the unsealed claims indicate that TikTok conducted other similar tests, including one reported earlier this year where the platform allegedly withheld a safety update from certain users.

A TikTok spokesperson stated that the company is always making improvements to its platform and, like many companies, regularly tests new products and features to validate user experience and understand their real-world functionality.

Furthermore, New York’s lawsuit mentions that a product manager for Digital Well Being at TikTok expressed concerns about the test, stating, “This feature is about algorithm transparency and control […] A placebo group completely conflicts with that.” The lawsuit also alleges that TikTok misled users regarding the feature, presenting Algo Refresh as a permanent reset instead of a temporary one.