Appeals Court Rules TikTok Can Be Sued Over Child's Death in 'Blackout Challenge'

The court found TikTok's algorithmic recommendations constitute the platform's own speech, making it liable for promoting harmful content.

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against TikTok by the mother of a 10-year-old girl who died after attempting the 'blackout challenge'.
The court ruled that TikTok's algorithmic recommendations are not protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
This decision overturns a lower court's dismissal of the case, allowing the lawsuit to proceed.
The ruling could have significant implications for how social media platforms are held accountable for content promoted by their algorithms.
TikTok declined to comment on the ruling, while the plaintiff's lawyer stated this decision removes Big Tech's 'get-out-of-jail-free card'.