TikTok and its controller ByteDance are subject to a class action in a third country that alleges the social media platform violates children's online privacy laws.
TikTok is now alleged to be collecting personal information from users under the age of 13, or otherwise violating the company's rules and guidelines. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998Also known as COPPA.
According to court documents obtained by TheWrap, “the plaintiffs seek to represent thousands of American children whose information is being unlawfully collected and used by TikTok” and hold the platform accountable for “repeatedly violating the rights of American children” and “ensuring that their conduct” is finally cut off from TikTok.
The lawsuit also states that TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly, which launched in 2014, also violated COPPA “repeatedly and persistently” (that app was merged into TikTok in August 2018 after ByteDance's acquisition in November 2017).
Documents we quote from 2016 New York Times Technology Report article John Herman, who noted that “the app doesn’t reveal the identity of its users, but some of its users are more secretive… They look like they’re in elementary school, judging by their videos and selfies. More recently, the app has had a resource that suggests users to follow based on their location. In New York, this article revealed a list that was mostly made up of not just teenagers, but children as well.”
No more past, US Department of Justice TikTok process in a similar way e ByteDance over COPPA violations, alleging that the popular social media app “intentionally and repeatedly” violates children’s privacy.
The Justice Department said the platform, which “collects, stores and processes” data from its users from all entities, “knowingly allows children under 13 to create and use TikTok without the knowledge or consent of their countries, collecting large-scale data.” Dessas crianças, e does not comply with the countries’ request to remove accounts and personal information from your children.
TikTok denied the allegations in a statement. “We disagree with these allegations, many of which relate to past events and practices that are inaccurate or factually incorrect. We are proud of our efforts to protect children and will continue to update and improve the platform,” the company said. Through stories“To that end, we provide kid-friendly experiences with strict safeguards, proactively remove users suspected of being minors, and voluntarily launch resources like parental time limits, family matching, and additional privacy protections for minors.”
M AprilPresident Biden announced that ByteDance will have 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or it will be banned nationwide. The law will go into effect on January 19, 2025. The second exhibitionThe company argued before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit why the ban should not be enforced.
On the third day, Instagram also reveals open information. Privacy Restrictions for Users Under 18 To give “peace of mind” to the country.
Pamela Chellin contributed to this story.
