TikTok’s Iowa Contacts Let State Maintain Suit Over Kids’ Safety

Iowa’s lawsuit alleging deficiencies in TikTok Inc.'s child safety representations will proceed after the state supreme court ruled Friday that the lower court has personal jurisdiction over the social media giant.

The court rejected TikTok’s arguments that its contacts with the state were only unilateral because Iowa-based users must choose to download the app and its terms of service are standardized nationwide, rather than directed specifically at Iowa.

“The unilateral-activity argument fails where a defendant actively cultivates and monetizes a relationship with a state’s residents,” Justice Matthew McDermott wrote for the court.

TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for ...