A coalition of 44 attorneys general, led by Connecticut AG William Tong, urged TikTok and Snapchat to implement parental control apps to help parents monitor their children's social media usage and protect them from online harms such as bullying, self-harm, and exposure to inappropriate content. The attorneys general highlighted research showing high rates of teens encountering nudity, drug-related content, violence, and bullying on these platforms. They argue that parental control apps can alert parents to dangerous situations and save lives.
In-house legal teams should review Terms of Service, Privacy Policies, and any Child Safety Addendums or Data Processing Addendums with minor users. Focus on clauses governing user safety features, parental control capabilities, age verification methods, content moderation policies for harmful material (bullying, self-harm, nudity), data collection from minors, and third-party app integrations. Potential changes include mandating integrated parental control options (e.g., activity monitoring, content filtering), enhancing age assurance systems, improving transparency reporting on harmful content exposure, and establishing clear, accessible reporting pathways for minors and parents.
Entity
TikTok and Snapchat
Also known as: TikTok, Snapchat
Industry
Social MediaOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2022-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-urges-tik-tok-and-snapchat-to-give-parents-more-control
naag parental control final letter.pdf?rev=28c5376cbd104accb
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2021/naag---parental-control-final-letter.pdf?rev=28c5376cbd104accbfbc13a75ea32e7a&hash=9D7358D752C5AEE5E6F5F17B53B000FE
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.