The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of violating children’s privacy laws. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, allowed children under the age of 13 to create accounts and collected data on these minors without proper consent. The agency claims that TikTok also failed to comply with parental requests to delete accounts and associated information, actions that would violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The Justice Department’s lawsuit highlights growing concerns over the privacy and security practices of popular social media platforms, particularly those with significant young user bases. “Protecting children’s privacy is a critical priority, and we will hold companies accountable when they fail to comply with the law,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
In a parallel move, more than 20 state attorneys general are calling for a nationwide ban on TikTok, citing national security concerns. This coalition has filed a request with the U.S. Court of Appeals to uphold a law that would compel ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American buyer within a year if it fails to do so voluntarily.
The attorneys general argue that TikTok poses a significant threat to national security due to its Chinese ownership, which they claim could lead to data being accessed by the Chinese government. “The potential for misuse of American data by a foreign adversary is too great to ignore,” said one of the state AGs involved in the effort.
TikTok has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years over its data privacy practices and ties to China. In response to the lawsuit and calls for a ban, TikTok has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding user data and complying with applicable laws. “We take privacy and security very seriously and are committed to protecting our users, especially our younger audience,” a TikTok spokesperson said.
If the Justice Department’s claims are verified, TikTok could face significant penalties and be required to implement substantial changes to its platform to comply with COPPA. The outcome of the state AGs’ request for a national ban could also have far-reaching implications for the app’s future in the U.S.
The dual actions by the Justice Department and state attorneys general reflect a broader bipartisan concern over the influence and reach of foreign-owned tech companies in the United States. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed support for measures to increase oversight and regulation of social media platforms, particularly those involving children’s privacy and national security.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some users expressing support for stronger regulations to protect privacy, while others argue that a ban on TikTok could limit freedom of choice and expression.
As these legal and political battles unfold, the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain, with significant regulatory and operational challenges ahead for the social media giant.
