The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, accusing the social media giant of unlawfully collecting and retaining data from children in violation of United States privacy laws.
The civil consumer protection complaint filed Friday in federal court in California accuses TikTok of collecting a “wide variety” of personal information from children who created accounts on the app dating back to 2019 through the present day.
The TikTok logo is displayed on the smartphone screen, on July 10, 2024.
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The department further alleges that even when children created accounts in TikTok’s designated “Kids Mode,” the company still unlawfully collected and retained children’s email addresses and other personal information without notifying or getting consent from parents.
The alleged privacy violations “have resulted in millions of children under 13 using the regular TikTok app, subjecting them to extensive data collection and allowing them to interact with adult users and access adult content,” the department said in a release announcing the lawsuit.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently filed a lawsuit against popular social media platform TikTok, alleging that the company has violated child privacy laws. The lawsuit comes after months of scrutiny and concerns raised by parents, lawmakers, and privacy advocates about the app’s handling of children’s personal information.
The DOJ’s lawsuit accuses TikTok of collecting and using personal information from users under the age of 13 without obtaining parental consent, which is a violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The law requires websites and online services to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced criticism in the past for its data collection practices and its handling of user data. The app has been accused of tracking users’ location data, browsing history, and other personal information without their consent. This latest lawsuit adds to the growing concerns about the company’s privacy practices, particularly when it comes to children.
In response to the lawsuit, TikTok has stated that it takes user privacy seriously and has implemented measures to protect children’s data. The company has also pointed out that it has made changes to its app to better comply with COPPA regulations, such as limiting the data collected from users under the age of 13 and providing more transparency about its data practices.
However, the DOJ’s lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s efforts to protect children’s privacy have been insufficient and that the company continues to violate COPPA. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief to prevent TikTok from further violating child privacy laws.
This lawsuit highlights the importance of protecting children’s privacy online and holding companies accountable for their data collection practices. As more and more children use social media platforms like TikTok, it is crucial for companies to prioritize user privacy and comply with laws designed to protect children online.
Parents are encouraged to be vigilant about their children’s online activities and to educate them about the importance of privacy and security when using social media. By staying informed and advocating for stronger privacy protections, we can help ensure that children are safe and secure when using online platforms like TikTok.
