French families sued TikTok over inability of video service employees to remove harmful content

Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against social media giant TikTok, accusing the platform of exposing their teenage children to harmful content, which led to two of them committing suicide at the age of 15, Reuters reports

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The families' lawsuit alleges TikTok's algorithm exposed the seven teenagers to videos promoting suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

"The parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognised in court. This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product’s shortcomings," the lawyer said.

The families filed a joint lawsuit in the court of the city of Creteil. This is allegedly the first such grouped case in the European Union.