Since being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in early 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed multi-billion-dollar lawsuits against four of the biggest names in tech, accusing them of addicting children, deceiving parents, and violating Florida’s strict social media law for minors.
The state’s legal offensive reached a new peak on Monday with a lawsuit against TikTok. Here is the definitive list of the apps Florida is taking to court, along with the specific accusations leveled against them.
1. TikTok (ByteDance)
Uthmeier filed suit against TikTok on June 16 in St. Lucie County, alleging that the platform’s business model depends on hooking kids.
Florida accuses TikTok of ignoring HB 3, the state law that bans children under 14 from creating accounts and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. The state also claims TikTok misleads parents with “12+” app ratings while allegedly exposing kids to drugs, nudity and explicit content, with some children reportedly spending six to eight hours a day on the app.
The state wants TikTok declared a public nuisance and is seeking fines of up to $50,000 per violation, potentially totaling billions.
2. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
On June 1, Florida sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company marketed ChatGPT aggressively to children while internally suppressing safety warnings about psychological risks.
The state claims the chatbot facilitates dangerous behavior, including self-harm and violence, and collects data from minors without meaningful parental consent.
The case escalated after prosecutors reviewed chat logs between ChatGPT and a gunman who killed two people at Florida State University in April 2025. The Office of Statewide Prosecution has since opened a criminal probe.
3. Roblox (Roblox Corporation)
Florida’s 76-page lawsuit against Roblox alleges the platform’s lack of age verification makes it easy for adult predators to pose as children, groom minors and lure them to unmonitored apps like Discord.
State investigators created fake accounts for children as young as 7 and found immediate access to user-generated games featuring explicit content and virtual strip clubs. The suit also alleges predators use Roblox’s virtual currency, Robux, to bribe minors into sending explicit images.
4. Snapchat (Snap Inc.)
Florida sued Snapchat in 2025, accusing the platform of violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by marketing addictive design features directly to children.
The state says Snapchat’s disappearing-message feature appeals to bad actors, and that the app’s age verification is too weak to comply with Florida law.
What Florida is asking for
Across all four lawsuits, Uthmeier is using a two-pronged strategy: the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and HB 3 enforcement. The state is seeking permanent injunctions, public nuisance declarations and civil penalties.
“We are going to get our kids’ lives back,” Uthmeier said.
Emmy Bailey is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida sues TikTok, these 3 other tech giants over child safety
Reporting by Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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By Emmy Bailey, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
