Texas vs. TikTok: A Lawsuit Focused on Protecting Children's Online Privacy

By: Bhumika Singh

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Updated on: 04-Oct-2024

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Texas has taken legal action against TikTok, accusing the popular social media platform of violating laws designed to protect children's privacy. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, claims that TikTok shares personal information about kids without getting consent from their parents or guardians.

The lawsuit focuses on the state's Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, which aims to ensure children's online safety. Paxton is seeking an injunction to stop TikTok from these practices and is also pursuing civil penalties that could reach up to $10,000 for each violation.

According to Paxton, TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, does not provide adequate tools for parents to manage their children's privacy settings. He noted that even accounts set to "private" still allow information to be shared and that TikTok permits targeted advertising aimed at children.

This isn't the first time TikTok has faced scrutiny. The platform has previously been criticized for issues related to data privacy, including concerns over how it handles user information and its ties to the Chinese government. In 2020, former President Trump attempted to ban TikTok in the U.S. over national security concerns, although the ban was later blocked by courts.

In response to ongoing concerns, TikTok has launched various initiatives aimed at improving user safety, particularly for younger audiences. However, the Texas lawsuit highlights that many still feel these measures are insufficient.