CRIME & LAW

Florida AG sues TikTok alleging HB3 violations

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Tallahassee: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a civil lawsuit on June 15 in St. Lucie County accusing TikTok of allowing children under 14 to create accounts and of misleading parents about the platform’s exposure to sexual and violent content, asserting those practices violate Florida’s House Bill 3 that took effect Jan. 1, 2025. The complaint seeks court-ordered platform changes, financial penalties and damages, and was announced at a morning news conference this week; TikTok said it has engaged with the AG’s office and informed under-14 users in Florida that their accounts will be suspended, while tech industry groups continue a separate federal challenge to HB3.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Jan 1, 2025: Florida's HB3 goes into effect establishing restrictions for under-14 users and parental consent requirements.
Early 2025: Tech industry groups file federal challenges arguing HB3 raises constitutional concerns.
June 15, 2025: AG James Uthmeier files a civil lawsuit in St. Lucie County against TikTok alleging HB3 violations.
June 15, 2025: AG holds a press conference outlining alleged harms and requested remedies including penalties and platform changes.
Post-filing: TikTok states it has engaged with the AG and informed under-14 Florida users that accounts will be suspended.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a parent in Florida, this lawsuit could impact your child's TikTok use. HB3 requires parental consent for under-14s to use certain platforms. Check your child's account settings and discuss online safety.

The Bottom Line

Florida's AG is taking on TikTok for alleged violations of state law. This could lead to changes in how the app operates, especially for young users. Worth forwarding if you know someone with kids on TikTok.