Silver Golub & Teitell LLP is investigating whether TikTok has illegally collected the personal information of children under thirteen without obtaining parental consent in violation of federal and state law. If you are a parent of child that used TikTok between 2019 and the present and wish to learn more about your rights in connection with this investigation, contact SGT today.
On June 21, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) take legal action against TikTok for alleged violations of COPPA in violation of TikTok's 2019 settlement with the FTC. The FTC's recommendation follows a comprehensive investigation into TikTok's data collection practices, which reportedly continue to illegally gather personal information from children under 13 without obtaining parental consent. T
In 2019, TikTok reached a $5.7 million settlement with the FTC over similar allegations. As part of the agreement, TikTok was required to implement strict measures to safeguard children’s data and ensure compliance with COPPA. However, recent findings suggest that TikTok may have failed to uphold these commitments, prompting the FTC to seek further legal recourse. This move highlights the persistent challenges in regulating digital platforms and ensuring they adhere to privacy laws designed to protect children.
The FTC’s June 21 recommendation to sue TikTok also coincides with actions taken by several state Attorneys General, who have raised concerns about TikTok’s data practices and its impact on user privacy. These combined efforts from federal and state regulators reflect a growing consensus on the need for stricter oversight and accountability in the digital landscape. As the DOJ considers the FTC's recommendation, this case could set a significant precedent for the enforcement of privacy laws in the era of social media and digital communication
SGT believes the TikTok's conduct described above may, in addition to violating COPPA, also violate the consumer protection laws of several states as well as state common law privacy rights of children to be free of unwanted intrusions into their privacy.
If you are a parent of a child under 13 years old who has used TikTok between 2019 and the present and would like to learn more about your rights in connection with TikTok's conduct, the FTC recommendation, or SGT's investigation please contact SGT today by filling out your information int he contact form on this page. An SGT attorney will review your information and, if certain criteria are met, reach out for more information.
