Alabama's recent settlement with TikTok contains an unusual provision that could have ripple effects far beyond the state. According to Techdirt, the deal includes what amounts to an affiliate program for other attorneys general: if they bring their own enforcement actions against TikTok, they may receive some benefit tied to Alabama's settlement. The arrangement appears designed to multiply state-level pressure on the platform.
Techdirt notes that the settlement comes amid broader scrutiny of social media platforms. The outlet contrasts it with the massive multi-state settlement with Meta, which has drawn criticism for being a bad deal for kids and arguably anti-competitive. In particular, a strange clause in that deal reportedly encourages Meta to make its own required feature changes in ways that may not serve the public interest.
While the full details of the Alabama-TikTok agreement are not yet public, the incentive structure raises questions about how state officials coordinate enforcement and whether such provisions serve the public or simply expand litigation. The source offers no evidence that the clause is illegal, but it highlights the unusual nature of the arrangement.