Nebraska AG’s lawsuit against TikTok set to proceed in Lancaster County District Court

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A lawsuit against TikTok in Lancaster County District Court is set to move forward, officials announced Monday.

On Friday, District Court Judge Lori Maret denied TikTok’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers last May.

Maret found that Lancaster County District Court “has jurisdiction” over TikTok and that the case can proceed, according to the attorney general’s office.

“We have filed this lawsuit to hold TikTok accountable for deceiving Nebraska parents and children and for the harm TikTok’s deception has caused,” Hilgers said in a press release. “We are grateful to the Court for allowing this lawsuit to proceed so that our Office can continue to fight for Nebraskans and protect them from exploitative companies that would do them harm.”

Maret heard arguments on TikTok’s motion to dismiss on Oct. 23, 2024.  TikTok was represented by attorneys from “two large national law firms,” the attorney general’s office said.

Hilger’s lawsuit claims that TikTok engaged in “deceptive and unfair trade practices by intentionally designing and operating a platform that is addictive and harmful to teens and children while holding itself out as ‘family-friendly’ and ‘safe’ for young users.”