New York says TikTok gave users ineffective feed safety controls

New York alleges TikTok gave thousands of users, including children and teenagers, non-working versions of safety features without telling them. The claims form part of an updated version of the state’s 2024 lawsuit, and raise questions about whether users could rely on tools intended to help control potentially harmful recommendations.

The alleged test affected TikTok’s “Algo Refresh” option, which users believed would reset their feeds but reportedly did not change them for those in the placebo group. The lawsuit also cites other alleged tests and says the feature was presented as a permanent reset even though it was temporary. TikTok says it regularly tests products and features to understand how they work in real-world use.