TikTok sued in France over alleged failure to remove harmful content

Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against social media giant TikTok, accusing platform of exposing ir adolescent children to harmful content that led to two of m taking ir own lives at 15, ir lawyer said on Monday.

lawsuit alleges TikTok's algorithm exposed seven teenrs to videos promoting suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion told broadcaster franceinfo.

families are taking joint legal action in Créteil judicial court. Boutron-Marmion said it was first such grouped case in Europe.

" parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognised in court", she said, adding: "This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, mirs. y must, refore, answer for product's shortcomings."

TikTok, like or social media platforms, has long faced scrutiny over policing of content on its app.

As with Meta's Facebook and Instagram, it faces hundreds of lawsuits in US accusing m of enticing and addicting millions of children to ir platforms, damaging ir mental health.

TikTok could t immediately be reached for comment on allegations.

company has previously said it took issues that were linked to children's mental health seriously. CEO Shou Zi Chew this year told U.S. lawmakers company has invested in measures to protect young people who use app.