A coalition of 46 state attorneys general, led by Colorado and Tennessee, filed an amicus brief to compel TikTok to produce internal communications. The investigation examines whether TikTok's practices harm youth mental health through harmful content. TikTok is accused of failing to preserve and provide communications in a usable format.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements with social media platforms (like TikTok) and any contracts involving user data sharing or youth-focused services. Specifically, examine clauses related to data preservation, document retention, cooperation with investigations, and production of electronic communications. Key areas include requirements to maintain internal communications (including instant messages on platforms like Lark) in a usable format, prohibitions on auto-deletion during investigations, and obligations to comply with regulatory requests for documents. Consider adding or strengthening terms that mandate legal holds, specify acceptable production formats, and impose penalties for non-compliance to ensure vendors preserve and produce relevant evidence during multistate or regulatory probes.
Entity
TikTok, Inc.
Also known as: TikTok
Industry
Social MediaOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2023-press-releases/attorney-general-joins-46-state-coalition-asking-court-to-order-tiktok-to-produce-communications
20230306 Motion for Leave for Brief of Amici Curiae
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/AG/20230306---Motion-for-Leave-for-Brief-of-Amici-Curiae.pdf
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.