TikTok minors' safety questioned

New revelations in the United States have raised concerns about how TikTok protects minors on its platform. Former employees testified under oath in a federal court in March 2026, and their depositions, released on October 20, suggest that management ignored warnings about the live exploitation of teenagers on the app.

Internal warnings ignored

Reagen Maher, who held executive roles in security and investigations at TikTok from 2021 to 2024, testified that she conducted a "multi-month crusade" to report her findings. Despite her efforts, her alerts were not addressed by higher management, including V Pappas, then head of operations.

Risks identified in internal reports

An internal investigation in January 2022 found 112,000 live videos featuring teenagers aged 13 to 15. Some of these videos showed young people undressing in exchange for virtual "gifts" that could be converted into real money. The report also highlighted risks of sexual predation and the creation of child pornography content.

Age verification avoided

TikTok allowed children to access the 18+ version of the app by registering through Google, Facebook, or Instagram. Management was aware of this vulnerability but chose not to implement age verification, fearing regulatory action from the Federal Trade Commission. Parental controls also included a hidden link that could be used to bypass restrictions.