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Alabama AG sues TikTok, ByteDance alleging they’re ‘built to keep kids hooked.’ What we know

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Alabama AG sues TikTok, ByteDance alleging they’re ‘built to keep kids hooked.’ What we know


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Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced on Tuesday that the state is filing a lawsuit against TikTok Inc. and ByteDance Inc. to hold the companies accountable for a mental health crisis on the youth of Alabama.

Here’s what we know:

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What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media app best known for short-form videos that keep users scrolling for hours. Creators can upload videos that are just a few seconds long or up to 10 minutes long.

The app’s secret sauce? A personalized “For You Page” powered by an innovative algorithm that serves up content based on what you like to watch. Expect plenty of singing, dancing, lip syncing and viral comedy.

But that “secret sauce” is under fire as Alabama lawmakers are challenging TikTok’s algorithm in their lawsuit, claiming it’s designed to addict users, especially youth.

Why was a lawsuit filed against TikTok in Alabama?

Alabama’s lawsuit claims TikTok’s algorithm is built to keep kids hooked, pushing an endless stream of content that promotes depression, eating disorders, self-harm and drug use.

The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s safeguards for minors are easy to circumvent and don’t do enough to protect young users.

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What safety measures does TikTok have for youth?

According to TikTok’s website, the platform is recommended for users ages 12 and up, with parental guidance. In the U.S., children under 13 are offered a limited, “view-only” app version.

TikTok says it starts all accounts for users under 18 as private by default, though teens can switch to public settings. There’s also a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users under 18. Those under 16 can’t use direct messaging or go live, and their content is not shown on the app’s popular “For You” page.

TikTok offers a tool called “Family Pairing,” which lets parents and guardians connect their accounts to their teens. The feature allows adults to set screen time limits and requires a passcode if the teen wants more time on the app.

Parents can also filter out specific keywords to help control what appears on their child’s “For You” feed. They can also manage comment settings, including turning off comments altogether.

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Alabama lawsuit also shows concern over youth data

Another claim in the lawsuit accuses TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, of collecting sensitive data on Americans and potentially sharing it with the Chinese government. Attorney General Marshall alleges that because ByteDance is based in China, it is subject to laws requiring companies to cooperate with Chinese intelligence services.

Marshall argues that TikTok and ByteDance are engaged in espionage by exploiting personal information, especially data belonging to minors.

What does the lawsuit seek?

The lawsuit asks for civil penalties under Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act and compensatory and punitive damages for the state. It also seeks a court order requiring TikTok to stop what the state calls deceptive practices related to youth safety.

A copy of the complaint can be viewed here.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

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YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

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YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort


SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

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“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



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Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

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Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team


Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston. 

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama.  Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class. 

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The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons. 

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.





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Alabama Baseball Strikes Out 17 Times in Noncompetitive Loss to Texas

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Alabama Baseball Strikes Out 17 Times in Noncompetitive Loss to Texas


Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn said that No. 4 Texas would be “hungry” against the No. 11Crimson Tide coming off its first series loss of the season to Texas A&M.

The Longhorns certainly were, as they pounced all over Vaughn’s team, striking out 17 Alabama batters en route to a 10-2 win.

“The story of the game was they just kind of kicked our tail in every phase tonight,” Vaughn said.

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Alabama starter Tyler Fay had been elite over his past four starts, dating back to his complete-game no-hitter against Florida, allowing just six earned runs over the 26.0 innings pitched in those games. That changed instantly on Friday evening, as leadoff batter Aiden Robbins opened the game with a double and catcher Carson Tinney took him deep for a two-run blast moments later.

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Texas added a third run in the first off an Ethan Mendoza RBI double, setting the tone for a dominant day. Alabama did not record a hit until the fourth inning as Longhorn ace Dylan Volantis tore through batters, striking out 12 over six innings.

Fay ended up going 5.1 innings, just the second time he did not make it through the sixth. The other, against Auburn, was only due to Vaughn wanting to keep his pitch count down in the wake of the no-hitter. He allowed season-highs of seven earned runs and 12 hits in the loss.

The Longhorns added a run each in the third and the fifth, before Alabama put the slightest amount of pressure on Texas in the top of the sixth. Bryce Fowler and Justin Lebron scored on the basepaths off an error and a wild pitch, respectively, to cut the Texas lead to three runs.

“You’ve got to find ways to score,” Vaughn said. “Those two guys just created two runs for us, and did a great job creating those runs and we crawl back in at 5-2, and it’s like, ‘Let’s go back to work…’ So thought we had that chance in those middle innings.”

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The Longhorns effectively put the game to bed in the next frame, responding with three runs as Fay was relieved by Connor Lehman. Texas would add two more runs on the day, with the only silver lining coming in the fact that Alabama avoided a run-rule.

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The Crimson Tide has now lost four straight SEC games after winning three consecutive series. Zane Adams takes the mound with the series on the line on Saturday, in a game that has been moved up to 12 p.m. CT due to anticipated rain in Austin.

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