TikTok Faces Lawsuit for Violating Children’s Privacy Laws
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have jointly filed a lawsuit against the popular video-sharing platform TikTok for allegedly violating children’s privacy laws in the country. The agencies accused TikTok of allowing children to create accounts, view and share videos and messages with adults, and collect personal information from children without parental consent, in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The lawsuit also highlighted that TikTok failed to honor parents’ requests to delete their children’s accounts and information, infringing a 2019 consent order between the company and the government. The DoJ emphasized that despite having a “Kids Mode” for children under 13, TikTok unlawfully collected and retained personal information from these young users, enabling targeted advertising and interaction with adults.
The FTC raised concerns about TikTok’s lack of due diligence during the account creation process, allowing children to bypass age restrictions by signing in using third-party services. The agency criticized TikTok for prioritizing profit over children’s privacy and announced plans to protect children’s data from surveillance by tech firms.
TikTok, with over 170 million U.S. users, has disputed the allegations and stated its commitment to providing safe experiences for minors. However, this lawsuit adds to the platform’s regulatory challenges, as it faces a potential ban or sale under a national security law. Internationally, TikTok has faced fines for data protection violations, including a €345 million fine in the EU and a £12.7 million fine in the UK related to its handling of children’s data.
The lawsuit against TikTok reflects growing concerns about children’s online privacy, with regulators worldwide scrutinizing platforms to ensure compliance with data protection laws. The U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office has also issued warnings to several media and video-sharing platforms regarding children’s privacy practices, signaling a broader focus on protecting young users in the digital age.