Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Has Launched An Investigation Into TikTok For Human Trafficking And Drug Smuggling Content

The Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Friday that he is investigating the Chinese app TikTok to determine if information posted on the popular platform helps human trafficking or drug smuggling into the United States.

Paxton said in a press release, “Chinese-owned company TikTok may be complicit in child exploitation, sex trafficking, human trafficking, drug smuggling and other unimaginable horrors.”

“I will get to the bottom of these concerns and make sure Big Tech doesn’t interfere with the safety and security of Texans.” he added.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stated last month during an attorneys general conference that drug gangs are now using the app to recruit drug runners, according to KVUE.

“TikTok should be ashamed, condemned and have a legal action brought against it for promoting human trafficking in Texas and the United States of America,” said Governor Abbott.

According to Fox Business, the Texas Department of Public Safety has gathered content from the site that reportedly depicts gangs soliciting paid to convey migrants or illicit drugs across the southern border.

On Friday, Paxton issued two civil investigation demands against the overseas corporation TikTok, Inc.

“Civil investigative requests are essentially inquiries for TikTok to find out what their rules are, what their experience has been, if they know about this, whether they have known about it, and whether they report it to law enforcement,” Paxton said on Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria.”

“We’re going to find out what’s actually going on, because we certainly don’t want corporations involved in people smuggling, sex trafficking, and drug trafficking,” he added.

According to the CID filings, TikTok has until March 18 to submit their materials to Paxton’s office.