Is TikTok ethical?

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Corporate conduct Allegation Against

TikTok is accused of funding terrorist groups

TikTok is accused of using TikTok Live to fund terrorist groups.

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theguardian.com
Another internal investigation showed TikTok Live was used to launder money, sell drugs and fund terrorist groups, according to the lawsuit.
TikTok knew its livestreaming feature allowed child exploitation, state lawsuit alleges | Utah | The Guardian

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

TikTok demotes users' videos secretly

TikTok demotes users' videos secretly, a practice known as shadow banning.

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npr.org
It's a practice that has become known as shadow banning, when TikTok quietly demotes someone's videos, and black creators like Doumbia feel like the app is targeting them.

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

TikTok sponsors climate deniers

TikTok sponsors climate deniers, contradicting its climate pledges.

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goodmenproject.com
Tiktok’s Climate Pledges Collide With Sponsorship of Climate Deniers - The Good Men Project

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

TikTok is accused of engineering hooks for young users

Alabama alleges TikTok and ByteDance engineered the app to hook young users like a sophisticated gambling machine.

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theguardian.com
Alabama originally sued TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance in April 2025, alleging the app was engineered to hook young users “just like a sophisticated gambling machine”.

Corporate conduct Settlement Against

TikTok settles $100 million youth safety claim

TikTok reached a $100 million settlement with Alabama over youth safety issues.

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thehill.com
TikTok reaches $100 million settlement with Alabama over youth safety issues

Corporate conduct Recall Against

TikTok recalls baby product for suffocation risk

TikTok recalled a baby product due to a documented suffocation hazard.

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pennlive.com
This TikTok Shop baby product is being recalled over a terrifying suffocation hazard - pennlive.com

Speech & moderation Allegation You decide

TIKTOK is accused of suppressing content critical of Trump and 2020 election controversy

TIKTOK is accused of suppressing content critical of Trump and the 2020 election controversy.

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bbc.com
While the TikTok said problems identified with the platform are being addressed, California Governor Gavin Newsom has nevertheless announced an investigation into claims TikTok has censored content which is critical of the Trump administration.
foxnews.com
TIKTOK SUPPRESSED CONTENT CRITICAL OF TRUMP AND 2020 ELECTION CONTROVERSY, EXCLUSIVE REPORT ALLEGES

Corporate conduct Confirmed Against

TikTok under UK investigation for age check concerns

TikTok faces a UK investigation amid fears over age verification and potential harm to children.

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politico.eu
The watchdog's probe will cover concerns raised in its two reports on children's experiences online and age assurance that age inference models used by TikTok.
theguardian.com
TikTok facing UK investigation amid fears over age checks and harm to children | TikTok | The Guardian

Corporate conduct Allegation Against

TikTok is accused of deliberately exploiting young people

TikTok is accused of deliberately exploiting young people to induce compulsive, addictive social media use.

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ag.ny.gov
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after New York State Supreme Court Judge Anar Rathod Patel denied TikTok’s motion to dismiss her lawsuit against the company for harming young people’s mental health:
mass.gov
Lawsuit Alleges TikTok Deliberately Exploited Young People to Induce Compulsive, Addictive Social Media Use for

Privacy & surveillance Confirmed Against

DPC fines TikTok €530 million for data sharing

The Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million for sending user data to China.

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irishtimes.com
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal from the Data Protection Commission (DPC) on a point of law arising from the commission’s decision to fine social media giant TikTok €530 million and direct it to stop sending user data to China.