The U.S. government has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, one of the world's most popular social networking platforms. The lawsuit was filed on August 2, 2024, in the Central District Court of California. The government accuses TikTok of collecting and storing data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent.
According to the lawsuit, TikTok, owned by ByteDance Ltd., has allowed millions of children in the U.S. to create and use accounts without their parents' knowledge or consent, violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice allege that TikTok failed to comply with parents' requests to remove their children's accounts and personal information.
The FTC alleges that TikTok has been improperly collecting children's personal information, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and geographic locations, since at least 2019. Despite previous court orders and agreements to improve its practices, the platform still needs to implement practical changes to protect the privacy of minors. The lawsuit also states that TikTok has used algorithms to collect additional data on user behavior, such as videos viewed and interactions on the platform, without adequately verifying the age of users. These practices have allowed children under 13 to be targeted by advertising and other data collection forms.
In addition, the FTC alleges that TikTok has obstructed parents' efforts to protect their children. The agency details that parents encountered confusing processes and significant obstacles when deleting their children's accounts. Even in cases where parents successfully submitted requests, TikTok needed to remove the children's information promptly.
The government is seeking a permanent injunction preventing TikTok from continuing these practices and civil penalties for COPPA violations. The goal is to ensure that the company implements stricter privacy measures and adequately protects children's information on its platform. In response to the lawsuit, a TikTok spokesperson stated that the company is committed to the privacy and safety of all its users, especially its youngest users. The company assures that it has made significant investments in data protection technologies and policies and will cooperate fully with the authorities to resolve the concerns raised.
This case underscores the growing concern about online privacy and the protection of children's data in the digital age. The lawsuit against TikTok adds to a series of similar actions taken by authorities in several countries, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and effective implementation to safeguard the personal information of the most vulnerable users.
The outcome of this litigation could have significant implications for TikTok and the entire social networking industry, setting precedents for how companies should handle and protect minors' data. U.S. authorities hope this case will serve as a reminder of the importance of complying with privacy laws and protecting children in the digital environment.