Technology — TikTok settles ahead of social media trial

View Online Technology Technology The Big Story  TikTok settles social media addiction case ahead of trial TikTok settled a lawsuit accusing it and several other social media companies of designing addictive platforms shortly before the landmark case headed to trial Tuesday. © Ashley Landis, Associated Press It is the latest company to settle the case and avoid trial, after Snapchat's parent company similarly reached a settlement last week. The trial will now go forward with the two remaining companies, Meta and YouTube.   Thousands of individuals, school districts and states have filed lawsuits against the four social media companies, which have since been consolidated into two sprawling cases. The case in Los Angeles Superior Court is the first to head to trial on a series of "bellwether" or test cases.   The lawsuit at the center of the jury trial getting underway Tuesday was filed by K.G.M., a 20-year-old who began using social media as a child and says she became addicted to the platforms, experiencing depression, anxiety, body dysphoria and suicidality.    TikTok has settled the case against K.G.M. but remains a defendant in the other bellwether cases set to head to trial later this year, noted Mariana McConnell, who serves as co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs.    The plaintiffs have accused the social media companies of deliberately designing their platforms to induce kids to use their products despite research linking social media to youth mental health issues.    The companies have pushed back on these allegations, underscoring their efforts to develop new protections for kids over the years.    The cases are notable given that very few lawsuits against social media companies have gotten this far before due to Section 230. The provision of the Communications Decency Act bars lawsuits against online platforms over user-generated content.    However, the attorneys for the plaintiffs have argued they are challenging the companies' design choices, not the content on their platforms.  Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, I'm Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Sam Altman says 'what's happening with ICE is going too far': Reports OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) for "going too far" following the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, according to media reports. "I love the US and its values of democracy and freedom and will be supportive of the country however I can; OpenAI will too," Altman wrote in a message to employees obtained by The New York Times and Business Insider. "But part of loving the country is the …  Full Story Newsom launches review of TikTok over claims of suppressed Trump criticism California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Monday he is launching a review of TikTok following allegations that the app's new owners were suppressing content critical of President Trump. Newsom's office said it had received reports and "independently confirmed instances" of content being suppressed. "It's time to investigate," the governor wrote on the social platform X. "I am launching a review into whether TikTok is violating …  Full Story Pope Leo warns of 'overly affectionate' AI chatbots (NewsNation) — Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about artificial intelligence and the risks the technology poses, issuing some rules of thumb: Do not give up your ability to think critically or allow AI to replace human relationships.  In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, the American pontiff said, "Technology must serve the human person, not replace it." Shortly after he was elected in May of 2025, …  Full Story The Refresh  News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: Pinterest layoffs impact 15 percent of staff as resources redirected to AI (TechCrunch) Amazon closing Fresh and Go stores as it expands Whole Foods (Axios) Op-eds in The Hill Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: America's disaster costs are soaring —taxpayers can't keep paying   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Technology page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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