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.
- New York says some TikTok safety features did not work for thousands of users.
- The allegations include a test of the Algo Refresh feed reset.
- TikTok says it regularly tests products and features.
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TikTok is a social media platform where an automated system decides which videos appear on each user's feed based on their viewing history. The company provides safety features that are meant to help users control what they see, which is especially important for younger users who might come across harmful content.
New York state alleges that TikTok secretly tested some of these safety features by giving thousands of users, including children and teenagers, versions that did not actually work. One feature called "Algo Refresh" was presented to users as a tool to reset their feed, but the state claims it did not function for some users without their knowledge.
The allegation raises questions about whether users can trust the safety tools TikTok claims to provide. This forms part of an ongoing 2024 lawsuit and addresses how transparent TikTok has been about testing features that affect what millions of users see, something the company says it does regularly to understand real-world use.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Users, including vulnerable minors, have a right to know when safety features they rely upon are actually non-functional test versions. By presenting placebo controls without disclosure, TikTok deceived users about their ability to manage potentially harmful content, violating fundamental principles of informed consent and transparency. Safety features are not ordinary product improvements—when they fail to work, users face genuine harms, making disclosure and user awareness especially critical.
The case against
Product testing in real-world conditions is a necessary, industry-standard practice for developing functional features and understanding how they perform with actual users. Companies cannot optimise safety tools without experimentation, and overly restrictive consent requirements could paralyse product development and ultimately compromise user experience. The substantive question is whether TikTok's testing methodology violated specific legal or regulatory standards, not whether responsible product testing itself should be prohibited.
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Originally published by The Verge as “New York accuses TikTok of serving users ‘placebo’ safety features”.