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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance Ltd., accusing the popular video app of violating child privacy laws. The lawsuit, announced on Friday, claims TikTok engaged in "widespread" violations by collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.

DOJ Sues TikTok Over Child Privacy Violations : Details of the Lawsuit

In the complaint filed in the Central District of California, the DOJ asserts that TikTok and its affiliates violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and its regulations. The lawsuit follows a referral from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in June. According to the DOJ, TikTok knowingly allowed minors to create accounts and collected a "wide variety" of personal information from them, despite an existing FTC order prohibiting such practices.

DOJ's Stance on Privacy Violations

Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer expressed the department's concerns in a statement on Friday. "The department is deeply concerned that TikTok has continued to collect and retain children's personal information despite a court order barring such conduct," Mizer said. "With this action, the department seeks to ensure that TikTok honors its obligation to protect children's privacy rights and parents' efforts to protect their children."

DOJ Sues TikTok Over Child Privacy Violations : Legal Proceedings

The case, United States of America v. ByteDance Ltd., case number 2:24-cv-06535, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This lawsuit marks a significant step by the DOJ to enforce children's privacy rights and hold companies accountable for violations.

Implications for TikTok

This lawsuit could have major implications for TikTok, potentially leading to stricter regulations and increased scrutiny of its data collection practices. As the case unfolds, it will serve as a critical test of how child privacy laws are enforced in the digital age.