California Department of Justice

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is the state's law enforcement agency, responsible for upholding the law and protecting civil rights. It is currently in the news for two distinct investigations. First, the DOJ has launched a civil rights investigation into Los Angeles County's response to the Eaton fire in Altadena, focusing on whether the predominantly Black community of west Altadena experienced discriminatory treatment based on race, age, or disability. This investigation will assess if the fire response had a "disparate impact" on the community. Second, California Governor Gavin Newsom has directed the DOJ to review TikTok's content moderation practices, specifically allegations that the platform suppressed content critical of former President Donald Trump. This review aims to determine if TikTok's practices violated state law. These actions highlight the DOJ's role in addressing potential civil rights violations and scrutinizing the content moderation policies of major tech platforms operating within the state.