TikTok has long known its video livestreams encourage sexual conduct and exploit children yet turned a blind eye because it “profited significantly” from them, according to newly unsealed material in a lawsuit by the state of Utah.

The accusations were made public on Friday, ahead of a scheduled Jan. 19 ban on TikTok in the United States unless its China-based owner, ByteDance, sells the popular social media app.

President-elect Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to put that ban on hold. 

TikTok, for its part, has said it prioritizes safe livestreaming.

Utah’s original lawsuit accusing TikTok of exploiting children was filed last June by the state’s Division of Consumer Protection, with state Attorney General Sean Reyes saying the TikTok Live streaming feature created a “virtual strip club” by connecting victims to adult predators in real time.

Citing internal TikTok employee communications and compliance reports, Friday’s largely unredacted complaint said TikTok learned of the threats Live posed through a series of internal reviews into the feature.

It said a probe known as Project Meramec uncovered in early 2022 how hundreds of thousands of 13-to-15-year-olds bypassed Live’s minimum-age restrictions.

It said many children were then allegedly “groomed” by adults to perform sexual acts, sometimes involving nudity, in exchange for virtual gifts.

The complaint also said a probe launched in 2021, Project Jupiter, found that criminals used Live to launder money, sell drugs and fund terrorism including by Islamic State.

In addition, an internal December 2023 study “documented what TikTok admits is ‘the cruelty’ of maintaining Live with its current risks for minors on the app,” the complaint said.

User safety

TikTok had fought the disclosures, citing confidentiality concerns and its interest in “preventing potential bad actors from getting a roadmap” to misuse the app.

A Utah state judge, Coral Sanchez, ordered the release of much of the previously redacted material on Dec. 19.

“This lawsuit ignores the number of proactive measures that TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support community safety and well-being,” a TikTok spokesperson said on Friday.

“Instead, the complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and outdated documents and presents them out of context, which distorts our commitment to the safety of our community,” the spokesperson added.

In October, a bipartisan group of 13 states and Washington, DC, separately sued TikTok for allegedly exploiting children and addicting them to the app.

“Social media is too often the tool for exploiting America’s young people,” Reyes said in a statement on Friday.

“Thanks to Judge Sanchez’s ruling, more of TikTok’s shocking conduct will now be public through this unredacted complaint,” he added. “(The) full extent of its culpability can be demonstrated at trial.”

President Joe Biden signed a law authorizing the TikTok ban last April, addressing concern TikTok could gather intelligence on American users and share it with the Chinese government.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether to put the ban on hold on Jan. 10. It is expected to rule quickly.

Associated Press

Utah Hockey Club (17-15-6, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (23-13-1, in the Central Division)

Dallas; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Utah Hockey Club visit the Dallas Stars after Lawson Crouse’s two-goal game against the Calgary Flames in the Utah Hockey Club’s 5-3 win.

Dallas is 23-13-1 overall with a 10-3-1 record in Central Division play. The Stars have a 13-6-1 record in games they have fewer penalties than their opponent.

Utah has a 4-6-1 record in Central Division games and a 17-15-6 record overall. The Utah Hockey Club serve 10.9 penalty minutes per game to rank second in NHL play.

Saturday’s game is the third time these teams square off this season. The Stars won the previous matchup 3-2.

TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Duchene has 15 goals and 20 assists for the Stars. Roope Hintz has seven goals and one assist over the past 10 games.

Dylan Guenther has 16 goals and 18 assists for the Utah Hockey Club. Clayton Keller has five goals and eight assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Stars: 6-3-1, averaging 2.8 goals, five assists, 2.7 penalties and 5.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.1 goals per game.

Utah Hockey Club: 5-4-1, averaging 2.8 goals, 5.3 assists, 4.1 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Stars: None listed.

Utah Hockey Club: None listed.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Florida State lost some veteran production with the departure of Lawrance Toafili at the end of last season. With an exciting young group of running backs, the Seminoles are looking to add some experienced production to the room and have prioritized Utah State transfer running back Rahsul Faison in the portal.

The Seminoles were the first program to host Faison on an official visit and the graduate transfer loved every bit of his time in Tallahassee.

“The coaches are really great people. That stood out to me the most — was the coaches,” Faison said on his visit. “I feel like they have a special thing going this (upcoming) season. I loved every bit of it.”

“Just how real they were,” he continued. “They were real honest and excited. They have a plan for me if I were to go here, so I loved the plan they have set out for me. I could really see myself (going here) for sure.”

Originally signing with Marshall out of high school, Faison instead spent two years at the JUCO level (Snow College) before committing to Utah State in 2023. In his last two seasons at Utah State, Faison has rushed for over 1,800 yards — including an extremely productive season in 2024 where he rushed for 1,109 and eight touchdowns.

If he used his final year of eligibility at Florida State, he would be joining a Gus Malzahn offense that loves to run the football.

“Coach Gus’ offense speaks for itself — what he is able to do with the running backs. So obviously someone like myself who is a running back and wants to have a big time year. I loved every bit of it for sure,” Faison said. “The success he was able to have with them. He has had multiple NFL running backs. They had successful college careers and they will be great pros as well.”

Faison would also be joining a room that has not only been well-stocked but very competitive under running backs coach David Johnson. With two exciting young backs in Kam Davis and soon-to-be true freshman Ousmane Kromah, Florida State wants Faison to be an older voice.

“They were very honest with me, they were real. They got a great young group of guys, some guys that can really run the ball and do a lot of things well in the backfield. They told me that I can add to that and be a big impact on the team,” Faison said.

Following his official visit to Florida State, Faison has planned visits to Alabama, Utah and North Carolina. While he expressed that he was very much playing things by ear in terms of the flexibility of his recruitment, he did say that he wants to make sure he makes the right decision as he “cannot go wrong” with only one year of playing time left.

As far as early returns are concerned, Faison thinks that place could be FSU.

“They passed my expectations for sure, absolutely,” Faison said. “This place is amazing. Obviously they had a down year last year but everything they have being built this season and the players they are able to bring in. It’s going to be special this season.”