The U.S. Justice Department Sues TikTok for Violating Children's Privacy
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, for failing to protect children's privacy on the social media app. This lawsuit marks the latest action by the Biden administration against the popular platform.
The government alleges that TikTok violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting personal information from users under the age of 13 without parental consent. This information includes names, email addresses, and location data.
The lawsuit also claims that TikTok knowingly allowed children to create accounts and share videos and messages with adults on the platform. This exposed children to potential harm and violated their privacy.
The Justice Department is seeking penalties of up to $51,744 per violation per day from TikTok for improperly collecting data. This could amount to billions of dollars if TikTok is found liable.
The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to address concerns about the potential security risks posed by TikTok. The Chinese-owned app has been accused of collecting vast amounts of data on Americans and sharing it with the Chinese government.
TikTok has denied these allegations and said it is committed to protecting children's privacy. The company has also stated that it will continue to update and improve its platform to ensure the safety of its users.
The lawsuit against TikTok is likely to face legal challenges. However, it highlights the growing concerns about the privacy of children online and the need for stronger protections.