TikTok Sued by US Justice Department for Alleged Violations of Kids’ Privacy

The popular social media app TikTok is facing a lawsuit from the US Justice Department over alleged violations of children’s privacy laws. The Justice Department claims that TikTok has been collecting and sharing the personal information of users under the age of 13 without parental consent, in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The lawsuit alleges that TikTok has been using this data to target young users with ads and other content, and that the app has failed to adequately protect the privacy of its younger users. The Justice Department is seeking an injunction to force TikTok to stop these practices and to pay damages to the affected children and their families.

TikTok has denied these allegations, arguing that it takes privacy and security seriously and has implemented measures to protect the data of its users, including children. The app has also pointed out that it has a separate version for users under 13, called TikTok for Younger Users, which has additional privacy controls and restrictions to comply with COPPA.

However, critics argue that these safeguards are not enough and that TikTok must do more to protect the privacy of its youngest users. This lawsuit highlights the growing concerns over data privacy and protection, especially when it comes to children and teenagers who are more vulnerable to online threats.

It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold and what implications it may have for the future of TikTok and other social media platforms. In the meantime, parents are urged to be vigilant about their children’s online activities and to educate them about the importance of privacy and security online.