|
|
As Attorney General of California — home of Silicon Valley — I know the innumerable promises of social media. From creating jobs to connecting loved ones to providing an outlet of expression, social media has changed our world, in many ways to our benefit.
Unfortunately, social media can also have many pitfalls — especially when a company puts its profits over the health and well-being of its users.
This week, California DOJ sued the social media giant TikTok for exploiting and addicting young users for its gain and deceiving the public about the vast dangers it poses to our youth. TikTok is selling our young people’s time, attention, and childhoods in exchange for ad revenue. I refuse to let TikTok continue business as usual, when that business is harming our children. It’s time to hold TikTok accountable in court.
In your service,
Rob
|
|
Protecting Young Users from the Harms of Social Media
 TikTok cultivates social media addiction to boost corporate profits, intentionally targeting children because they know kids do not yet have the defenses or capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content. TikTok must be held accountable for the harms it created in taking away the time — and childhoods — of American children. That’s why, this week, I co-led a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing separate enforcement actions against TikTok for violations of state consumer protection laws.
|
|
Informing Tenants of Allowable Rent Hike Limits
 Rent prices continue to be a top concern for Californians. On Friday, I published two consumer alerts to remind both landlords and tenants of the allowable rent-increase caps under the Tenant Protection Act and local law. The bottom line is this: The Tenant Protection Act puts a statewide limit on how much most landlords can raise your rent. However, if your city or county has stronger rent-increase protections than those provided by the Tenant Protection Act, that city or county’s protections take precedence.
|
|
Urging Congress to Pass the JUDGES Act
 I joined a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general in a letter on Wednesday urging Congress to pass the JUDGES Act, a bill that would authorize new federal district judgeships over the next ten years. Creating new judicial seats is crucial to prevent a backlog of cases and promote access to justice. The JUDGES Act unanimously passed the Senate in August. Now, our coalition is calling on the House to also pass the bill.
|
|
Addressing the Threat of Ghost Guns
 The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in Garland v. VanDerStok, a lawsuit challenging the federal regulation of ghost guns. At DOJ, we recognize ghost guns for the threat that they are, and we’re taking action to protect our communities from the ghost gun industry. Last week, our Office of Gun Violence Prevention issued a groundbreaking report providing new in-depth data analysis about ghost guns recovered from crimes in California, along with other research, court documents, and narrative sources, to document the impact of the ghost gun crisis and California’s response.
|
|
Reminder: You May Be Eligible for a Gas Settlement Payment
 Market manipulation and price gouging are illegal and unacceptable, particularly during times of crisis when people are most vulnerable. California residents who purchased gas in Southern California between February 20, 2015 and November 10, 2015 can now submit a claim for a payment under the state’s settlement with gas trading firms for tampering with and manipulating prices for California gasoline. Eligible Californians may submit a claim online at www.CalGasLitigation.com.
|
|
Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General IV, DMFEA Criminal Prosecutions Section
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, Special Prosecutions Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, DMFEA Civil Section
Deputy Attorney General III, Tort & Condemnation
Deputy Attorney General III, Native American and Tribal Affairs
Technical Lead, Firearms Modernization Section
Administrative Assistant, PRD Executive Unit
Digital Forensic Investigator, DMFEA Investigations Section
Live Scan Support Staff, Imaging & Live Scan Program
Investigative Auditor IV Specialist, PRD Charitable Trusts Section
Attorney General’s Honors Program
Deputy Attorney General
Graduate Legal Assistant
Geoffrey Wright Solicitor General DAG or GLA
|
|
Post of the Week
|
|
Video of the Week
|
We allege social media use is linked to an increased risk of adverse mental health impacts. As California Attorney General, I refuse to allow TikTok to mislead our kids, their parents, and the public about the true dangers lurking behind its viral trends.
|
|
Resource Corner
 To join this virtual briefing organized by my Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE), please register here. All are welcome, so feel free to share with others!
|
|
|
|
|
