Utah releases ‘shocking’ previously redacted info in case against TikTok

SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah released new details in a high-profile case it filed against TikTok, revealing multiple internal investigations performed by the social media platform. The state argues the investigation provides proof that the company knew children were being sexually exploited on its platform.

“They’ve touted safety features that have been window dressing at best,” said Katie Hass, director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection.

In a new filing of the previously redacted complaint, the investigations performed by TikTok were named “Project Meramec,” and “Project Jupiter.”  Even though the investigations provided TikTok with information showing there were crimes being committed on the platform, the Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection said the company “decided not to stop anything because of the financial profits it was raking in.”

“Project Meramec,” along with “admissions of its employees,” gave details on the TikTok LIVE function that “allows adults to pay young users to strip, pose, and dance provocatively for ‘diamonds,’ which can be cashed out for real money,” the department said.

The second investigation, “Project Jupiter,” concluded that the live stream feature and the virtual currency “enabled criminals to launder money, sell drugs and fund terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.”

An argument that “cherry-picks”

In a statement made through a spokesperson addressing the lawsuit and newly released information, TikTok argued the state’s complaint was misleading:

This lawsuit ignores the number of proactive measures that TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support community safety and well-being. Instead, the complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and outdated documents and presents them out of context, which distorts our commitment to the safety of our community.

We stand by our efforts, which include: robust safety protections and screen time limits for teen accounts enabled by default, Family Pairing tools for parents to supervise their teens, strict livestreaming requirements, and aggressive enforcement of our Community Guidelines on an ongoing basis.”

Read the entire story, and more from writer Mary Culbertson, on KSLTV.com.