Ken Paxton Challenges TikTok: New Allegations on Children’s Privacy Breach

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launches legal battle against TikTok over alleged violations of children’s privacy laws.

At a Glance

Ken Paxton sues TikTok for violating Texas’ SCOPE Act, which protects children’s online privacy.
Lawsuit claims TikTok shared minors’ personal data without parental consent.
Paxton seeks civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and injunctive relief.
TikTok accused of inadequate parental controls and targeted advertising to children.

Texas Takes on TikTok: Protecting Children’s Privacy

In a bold move to safeguard the online privacy of Texas children, Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against social media giant TikTok. The legal action, initiated in a Galveston County state court, alleges that the popular platform has violated the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, a Texas law designed to protect minors’ personal information from unauthorized sharing or sale.

The lawsuit contends that TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been sharing and selling children’s personal data without obtaining proper parental consent. This alleged practice not only violates Texas law but also raises significant concerns about the online safety and privacy of young users in the state.

SCOPE Act: Empowering Parents, Protecting Children

The SCOPE Act, which forms the basis of this legal action, prohibits companies from sharing, disclosing, or selling a minor’s personal information without explicit parental consent. Additionally, the law mandates that companies provide parents with tools to manage their child’s account privacy settings effectively.

“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued TikTok, one of the largest social media platforms, for operating its platform in a manner that puts the online safety and privacy of Texas children at risk and violates the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (“SCOPE”) Act.” – Texas Attorney General’s Office

According to the lawsuit, TikTok has failed to comply with these crucial requirements. The platform is accused of not providing adequate tools to restrict children’s privacy and account settings, allowing information sharing from “private” accounts, and engaging in targeted advertising to children without proper safeguards.

Seeking Accountability and Change

Attorney General Paxton is pursuing significant penalties against TikTok for these alleged violations. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, which could amount to a substantial sum given the platform’s vast user base. Additionally, Paxton is requesting injunctive relief to prevent future violations and ensure TikTok’s compliance with Texas law.

“I will continue to hold TikTok and other Big Tech companies accountable for exploiting Texas children and failing to prioritize minors’ online safety and privacy,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “Texas law requires social media companies to take steps to protect kids online and requires them to provide parents with tools to do the same. TikTok and other social media companies cannot ignore their duties under Texas law.”

This legal action underscores the growing concern over the impact of social media on children’s privacy and safety. As platforms like TikTok continue to gain popularity among younger users, the need for robust protections and parental controls becomes increasingly critical.

TikTok’s Response and Future Implications

As of now, TikTok has not issued an immediate response to the lawsuit. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for how social media companies operate in Texas and potentially influence similar actions in other states concerned about children’s online privacy.

The lawsuit serves as a reminder to all tech companies that they must prioritize the safety and privacy of their youngest users. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how TikTok will address these allegations and what changes, if any, will be implemented to ensure compliance with Texas law and protect the privacy of children online.