TikTok settles as US court weighs responsibility for social media design

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TikTok has reached a settlement shortly before a US court was set to begin jury selection in a closely watched case examining whether social media platforms can be held accountable for harm linked to how their products are built. 

The agreement means TikTok will no longer be part of proceedings that place the design of engagement-driven platforms under legal examination.

The case was brought by a 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, who claims that prolonged exposure to social media, shaped by platform algorithms, led to compulsive use and contributed to mental health problems. 

The settlement was confirmed by the organization representing the plaintiff, though no details of the agreement were made public.

With TikTok stepping aside, the lawsuit will continue against other major technology companies, including Meta, which operates Instagram and Facebook, and Google, which owns YouTube. 

Snapchat had already resolved its involvement in the case earlier.

What sets the case apart from previous legal challenges is its focus on how platforms are engineered rather than on individual user posts. 

While technology companies have traditionally relied on US law to shield them from responsibility for third-party content, the claims in this case target internal design decisions, such as recommendation systems, alerts, and other features that influence user behavior.

The trial is expected to include internal company materials as evidence, potentially shedding light on how engagement systems were developed and evaluated.

Meta has said it has rolled out numerous measures aimed at improving safety for younger users and maintains that it disputes the claims made in the case.

Testimony from senior executives is expected to draw particular attention, including from Mark Zuckerberg, who is scheduled to appear early in the proceedings. 

SOURCE: BBC

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