New York accuses TikTok of serving users ‘placebo’ safety features

<figure> <img alt="Vector art of the TikTok logo." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25406817/STK051_TIKTOK_CVirginia_B.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">New York is alleging that thousands of TikTok users, including kids and teens, were unknowingly given "ghost" versions of the platform's safety features rather than the working versions. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tiktok-gave-teens-children-placebo-safety-feature-experiment-new-york-alleges-2026-10-07/"><em>Reuters</em></a> reports the allegation is part of an "updated, sealed version" of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/8/24265169/tiktok-lawsuit-state-attorneys-general-kids-mental-health">New York's 2024 lawsuit against TikTok</a>, which was "later ordered unsealed by a judge." </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to the new allegations, TikTok's "experiment" effectively blocked some users from accessing features like <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/16/23642405/tiktok-refresh-feature-for-you-page-feed-algorithm-reset">an option to reset your algorithm</a>, which can potentially help users avoid harmful content popping up in their feed. As <em>Reuters</em> notes, users in the experiment "believed they had activa …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1008112/new-york-tiktok-lawsuit-placebo-safety-features">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>