TikTok Settles Alabama Teen-Safety Lawsuit

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, settled Alabama’s child-safety lawsuit days before trial, agreeing to pay the state at least $100 million within 45 days, with the amount potentially rising to $300 million if conditions are met. The companies also agreed to teen protections, including a two-hour daily time limit, overnight access restrictions, pauses after 15 minutes of use, improved age checks, and other parental and safety features. Alabama had alleged TikTok’s design and recommendation algorithm encouraged addictive use and exposed young people to harmful content, claims TikTok disputed. The settlement averts a trial that could have revealed internal company documents and testimony, while similar lawsuits brought by more than 25 states and Washington, D.C., continue.