Attorneys general in 14 states and Washington, D.C., accuse TikTok of designing its app to keep users hooked. Court-released edited video shows some company staff discussing the toll it can take on children and teens.

Washington

TikTok is facing legal action from 14 states and Washington, D.C., with lawsuits alleging that the platform was deliberately designed to encourage compulsive use and that it misled parents and children about potential safety risks. Recently unsealed internal videos show TikTok employees discussing concerns about the app's impact on users' well-being, with some acknowledging that company goals may not align with good mental health practices.

In response, TikTok has called the released video clips misleading and claims they distort internal conversations about improving platform safety. The company also points to more than 50 features aimed at helping young users and providing parental controls. Additional lawsuits, such as one from Minnesota, claim TikTok's design violates consumer protection laws, though TikTok disputes these allegations.

TikTok faces lawsuits over mental health risks

Speaking of TikTok, it's faced a series of challenges, of course, in these United States in the past few years, including that on again, off again effort to ban it entirely over security concerns. Well, now 14 states and Washington, D.C. are suing the super popular social media app, claiming it was designed from the beginning to be addictive. And this week, we got our first look at video that shows TikTok employees discussing that very concern. Jolene Kent looks at the continuing questions over the design of TikTok. Hands down, this is the best app. As 170 million Americans scroll TikTok, we're getting a new look inside the company. I mean, the product in itself has baked into it compulsive use. This video compilation, unsealed by a North Carolina judge and obtained by CBS News, shows employees had candid internal discussions about TikTok's impact on users' well-being. We have these expectations and goals, and they don't necessarily, they're not necessarily congruent with, like, good mental health. The edited video was released by the state of North Carolina, which sued TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, last year, alleging the company knew the social media app was addictive and deceived parents and kids about the potential safety risks. We obviously wanted people to spend as much time as possible on TikTok, which is, can be in contrast to what is best for your mental health. In response, TikTok said the clips are misleading and cherry-picked, and called the edited video a shameful attempt to distort an open internal conversation about making the platform safer, when TikTok was just beginning five years ago. The release of this video comes just two days after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison also sued TikTok, alleging it's violated consumer protection laws. TikTok has violated the law by designing features that can cause users to, especially children, by the way, to compulsively and excessively use the app such that they are mentally, physically and financially injured. TikTok told us the Minnesota lawsuit is based on misleading and inaccurate claims. The company also says it has more than 50 features to help young people use the app safely and offers controls for parents as well. Gail. All right, Jolene, thank you very much.

The FBI raided former Trump national security adviser John Bolton's house in Bethesda, Maryland, CBS News has confirmed. Jake Rosen has more.

Bethesda

FBI raids John Bolton's home, office

The United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared famine is occurring in Gaza City. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports as Israel denies the claims.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.N.-backed group declares famine in Gaza City

A parole board rejected Erik Menendez's request for release, saying he has not shown proper remorse for killing his parents 36 years ago. His brother, Lyle Menendez, faces his own hearing today (August 22).

Los Angeles

Erik Menendez denied parole after California hearing

Russia carried out one of its largest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15, marking Russia’s third-largest drone attack and eighth-largest missile assault this year.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches largest strike in weeks on Ukraine

The U.S. is sending three warships to the waters of Venezuela as part of a major counter-narcotics operation, a White House official confirms. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.

U.S. warships head to Venezuela to combat drug cartel threats

An eyewitness says American subcontractors at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites shot at Palestinians, a claim GHF denies.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Eyewitness claims U.S. subcontractors fired at Palestinians in Gaza

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will allow voters to decide on new congressional maps in November.

California

Newsom signs bill putting new California congressional maps on ballot

A New York appellate court threw out a $527 million penalty in the civil fraud case against President Trump and several others. CBS News' Aaron Navarro reports.

New York

Trump civil fraud case $527 million penalty thrown out

The U.S. and the European Union have locked in a framework trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. tariff on most EU imports, including autos, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.

Global Tariffs

U.S. and EU lock in trade deal

Israel says it began its military operation to take control of Gaza City. This comes after an apparent Hamas attack in Khan Younis targeting Israeli soldiers.

Israel says it began Gaza City expansion

After weeks of pushback from Democrats, House Republicans in Texas have passed controversial legislation to redraw the state's congressional map, giving the GOP an advantage in multiple seats.

Austin

Texas House passes controversial GOP redistricting map

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Moscow

Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

The Texas House on Wednesday night passed a controversial, Republican-backed proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps. The bill now moves onto the Texas Senate. CBS News reporter Erica Brown has more.

Texas

Texas House approves GOP congressional redistricting map

Israel's military has called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for an expected assault on Gaza City, as the Israeli government considered a new proposal for a ceasefire after nearly two years of war.

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

The Trump administration says it is adding 407 items to the list of "derivative" steel and aluminum products subject to higher tariffs. The list includes products like car parts, household appliances, baby strollers, fire extinguishers and spray deodorants.

Trump expanding steel and aluminum tariffs

NATO military chiefs met virtually Wednesday for what was described as a candid discussion about security guarantees the alliance would be willing to provide to Ukraine in an effort to end Russia's war in the region.

Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

Israel's military leaders approved the next phase of their ongoing offensive in the territory. The operation will shift focus to Gaza City, targeting areas where Hamas is believed to still be active and where Israeli forces have not yet operated.

Israel approves next phase of Gaza offensive, focus on Gaza City

Despite not making landfall, Hurricane Erin is forcing mandatory evacuation orders in parts of North Carolina and is expected to cause rip currents for days along the U.S. East Coast.

North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

The White House says it is working to secure a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which both have agreed to, while plans continue to create security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump says no U.S. ground troops will be sent to Ukraine

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but mediators are still waiting for an official response from Israel. CBS News contributor Robert Berger has the latest from Jerusalem.

Mediators await Israeli response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met China’s top diplomat on Tuesday and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the bilateral relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed Asian powers.

New Delhi

India's Modi meets China's foreign minister to rebuild ties

Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps.

Police escort Texas Democrats to prevent new redistricting walkout

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), ending the strike that began over the weekend involving 10,000 members and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 travelers per day.

Toronto

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight attendant union

Exiled former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui hailed Australia's grant of asylum status as a key acknowledgement of the territory's human rights infringements since its authorities quelled massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Hong Kong Island

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker granted asylum by Australia

Forecasters are giving urgent warnings to millions of people who live along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin churns in the Atlantic. The storm will not make direct landfall but is expected to bring dangerous rip currents.

East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen," has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha could face up to 45 years in prison.

"Ketamine Queen" to plead guilty in Matthew Perry's death

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

EU leaders show cautious optimism following Zelenskyy, Trump talks

As Hamas reportedly agreed to some ceasefire terms that would include the return of more hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to take more of Gaza.

Israel digs in on Gaza takeover as Hamas softens on ceasefire

President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Breakdown