Major U.S. regulatory bodies are taking legal action against social media giant TikTok and its parent company ByteDance for purported breaches of child privacy laws. The contention centers around accusations that TikTok has failed to protect the online privacy of children under the age of 13, a requirement under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Authorities, particularly from the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, have alleged that the video-sharing platform has been aware of its obligations under COPPA for years but has continued to allow users under 13 to access its services. This lawsuit comes despite TikTok having previously addressed COPPA violations in a 2019 settlement, where the company agreed to a $5.7 million payment and pledged to implement measures to restrict underage users.
The allegations suggest that TikTok only superficially reviews user accounts for age compliance, dedicating as little as five to seven seconds per account, disregarding clear signals of underage use. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding TikTok’s handling of personal data from young users, with reference to its use for targeted advertising and the difficulty parents face when attempting to delete their child’s account.
Perhaps even more concerning is the platform’s ‘Kids Mode’, which was intended to provide a COPPA-compliant experience. However, authorities claim it still gathers excessive user data, including information about in-app activity and device identifiers, which are allegedly used to track users and prevent churn rate.
In response to the lawsuit, TikTok has defended its practices, underscoring its dedication to safeguarding children on the platform. The company highlights its current compliance efforts, such as enabling age-appropriate experiences, proactive removal of suspected underage accounts, and features like default screen time limitations, Family Pairing, and enhanced privacy settings for minors.
As part of the legal proceedings, the FTC and the Justice Department are seeking substantial civil penalties that could amount up to $51,744 per incident per day, alongside a permanent injunction to ensure TikTok adheres to child privacy laws in the future.
The case underscores a growing concern over the safety and privacy of children online, as digital platforms become ever more embedded in the lives of young users. It reiterates the need for significant vigilance and responsibility on the part of social media companies to enforce age restrictions and handle the personal data of all users, especially minors, with the utmost care and respect for privacy laws.
