TikTok, a popular social media platform, is facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly allowing children under the age of 13 to create accounts without parental consent. The lawsuit claims that TikTok collected “extensive data” on these children, in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
According to the DOJ, TikTok implemented a “Kids Mode” that allowed children under 13 to create accounts by simply entering their age without requiring any parental consent. While kids in Kids Mode couldn’t upload videos, they could view videos, and TikTok allegedly collected personal information such as unique device identifiers and IP addresses during this process.
The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s age-gating techniques were inadequate, as the app allowed users to restart the account creation process even if they had initially entered an age indicating they were under 13. Additionally, TikTok used to allow users to log in through Instagram or Google, categorizing accounts as “age unknown,” further violating COPPA regulations.
The DOJ is seeking to prevent TikTok from violating COPPA in the future and is requesting that the platform pay civil penalties for each violation. Under the FTC Act, these penalties could amount to $51,744 per violation, per day. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) played a role in the investigation that led to the lawsuit, citing potential violations under both the FTC Act and COPPA.
TikTok has responded to the allegations, with spokesperson Alex Haurek stating that the company disagrees with the claims made by the DOJ. Haurek mentioned that many of the issues raised pertain to past events or practices that have been addressed. TikTok also emphasized its commitment to protecting children and expressed a dedication to improving its platform continually.
This lawsuit comes at a critical time for TikTok, as the company is already facing legal challenges in the form of a lawsuit against a new US law that could potentially ban the app unless certain conditions are met. The outcome of the DOJ lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for how TikTok operates in the future and how it handles user data, particularly concerning children.
The Department of Justice’s lawsuit against TikTok highlights the importance of compliance with child privacy laws such as COPPA. It serves as a reminder to social media platforms of the need to prioritize user safety, especially when it comes to children. TikTok’s response to the allegations and the eventual resolution of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the platform’s future policies and practices.
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