Court ruling or official legal documents

U.S. Court Revives Lawsuit Against TikTok Over Nylah Anderson's 'Blackout Challenge' Death

Aug 28, 2024, 02:08 PM

A U.S. appeals court has revived a lawsuit against TikTok filed by the mother of Nylah Anderson, a 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl who died in 2021 after attempting a viral 'blackout challenge' she allegedly saw on the platform. The challenge involved users choking themselves until they lost consciousness. The Third Circuit's decision indicates that TikTok's algorithm is not protected under Section 230, which typically shields tech companies from liability for content posted by users. This ruling allows the mother to pursue claims that TikTok's algorithm recommended the dangerous challenge to her daughter. The case raises significant questions about the responsibility of social media platforms in curating content and the legal protections afforded to them.