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(2024-08-03) US sues TikTok, parent company ByteDance over children privacy violations #tiktok #news
2024-08-03: US sues TikTok, parent company ByteDance over children privacy violations #tiktok #news
In a significant development, the US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance. The lawsuit claims that the companies have allegedly violated laws designed to protect children's privacy. According to the government, TikTok has been collecting personal information from children under 13 without obtaining parental consent and has enabled these young users to interact with adults on the platform.
This legal action follows a detailed probe into TikTok's privacy practices, which may result in a settlement. The move is a part of ongoing scrutiny that began after a 2019 agreement aimed at safeguarding children's privacy. With 170 million U.S. users, TikTok has been under continuous pressure to divest its U.S. assets due to significant concerns over data security.
Additionally, TikTok has faced financial penalties in Europe for similar privacy violations. This lawsuit highlights the growing importance of protecting children's privacy in the digital age.
Keywords
- US Justice Department
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- TikTok
- ByteDance
- Children's Privacy
- Data Security
- Lawsuit
- Parental Consent
- Settlement
- Privacy Practices
- 2019 Agreement
- 170 Million U.S. Users
FAQ
Q: What is the main allegation in the lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance? A: The main allegation is that TikTok and ByteDance violated laws designed to protect children's privacy by collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent and enabling interactions between these children and adults on the platform.
Q: Why is this lawsuit significant? A: This lawsuit is significant because it underscores ongoing concerns about data security and privacy, especially for children. It follows previous scrutiny and agreements aimed at safeguarding children's privacy and could result in a substantial settlement.
Q: How many U.S. users does TikTok have? A: TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S.
Q: Has TikTok faced similar legal challenges outside the U.S.? A: Yes, TikTok has faced fines in Europe over similar issues concerning children's privacy violations.
Q: What prompted this action against TikTok? A: This action was prompted by a probe into TikTok's privacy practices, which found that the company might have been violating laws protecting children's privacy.
Q: What could be the potential outcome of this lawsuit? A: The potential outcome of this lawsuit could be a settlement, alongside increased scrutiny and possibly further regulatory actions aimed at ensuring the protection of children's privacy on digital platforms.