TikTok to Pay $400 Million After US Lawsuit Over Children’s Privacy
TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to settle a lawsuit with the US Justice Department regarding concerns over children’s online privacy. The settlement includes an immediate payment of $300 million, with an additional $100 million to be paid once a prior consent decree against TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, is vacated.
The lawsuit, filed by the Department and the Federal Trade Commission in 2024, accused TikTok of collecting children’s personal data without parental consent, even from accounts created in a «Kids Mode» for users under 13. This legal battle originated in 2019 when the US sued Musical.ly for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires parental consent for collecting personal information from children under 13.
Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. described the settlement as a victory for American families, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s privacy online. The DOJ highlighted TikTok’s efforts to enhance privacy practices and compliance functions since the lawsuit was filed, implementing measures to strengthen safeguards for young users and improve parental oversight.
Euronews has requested a comment from TikTok regarding the settlement.
Sources: AFP