A Texas state court has ruled that TikTok deceived users about the effectiveness of its “Restricted Mode” feature, which the platform promoted as a safeguard for minors. Judge Cory Liu concluded that the company’s marketing violated Texas’ consumer‑protection statutes by overstating how the feature filtered content.
Judge’s findings
According to the ruling, TikTok told users it would remove material that violated its Community Guidelines. Internally, however, the company classified some of that material as merely “hard to find” rather than “do not allow,” allowing it to remain visible on the platform. The judge said this practice directly contravened the state’s consumer‑protection law.
Judge Liu also determined that TikTok’s Restricted Mode did not work as advertised. Instead of blocking the type of content the company claimed it would filter, the feature left minors exposed to material that should have been removed. The court’s decision underscores the gap between TikTok’s public promises and its internal content‑moderation policies.
State response and next steps
The Texas Attorney General’s Office, led by Ken Paxton, announced that the case will now move to trial. Penalties and other remedies will be decided at that hearing, which the office expects to schedule for next month. Paxton’s office emphasized the importance of holding technology companies accountable for protecting Texas families.
In August, TikTok settled three separate lawsuits brought by young people who alleged the platform was designed to be addictive and harmful to mental health. The settlement came alongside a major agreement by Meta, which agreed to pay up to $18 billion to resolve similar addiction claims.
Implications for parents and policymakers
For parents who rely on Restricted Mode to shield their children from harmful content, the ruling raises serious concerns about the feature’s reliability. The decision may prompt other states to examine their own consumer‑protection statutes and consider stricter oversight of social‑media platforms.
Consumer‑advocacy groups have praised the ruling as a step toward greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry. They argue that clear, enforceable standards are needed to ensure that platforms honor the safety promises they make to families.
What’s next for TikTok?
TikTok has not commented on the ruling outside of regular business hours. The company will likely face additional scrutiny as the trial proceeds, and it may need to adjust its content‑filtering systems to meet the expectations set by its own marketing.
Stakeholders across the state will be watching closely, as the outcome could set a precedent for how social‑media companies handle child‑safety features nationwide.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
