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Florida’s top law enforcement officer has launched a blistering attack on streaming powerhouse Roku Inc., accusing the company of illegally collecting and selling children’s personal data, including voice recordings and viewing habits, in violation of the state’s new data privacy law.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by Attorney General James Uthmeier, marks a significant escalation in the nationwide scrutiny over how tech companies handle children’s digital privacy. It’s the second state-led lawsuit against Roku in 2025, following a similar case brought by Michigan’s attorney general earlier this year.

Alleged Violations of Florida’s Digital Bill of Rights

Uthmeier’s complaint, lodged in state court, accuses Roku of breaching the Florida Digital Bill of Rights, which took effect in July 2024, and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The suit contends Roku failed to obtain parental consent before selling or processing children’s personal data and misled families about the effectiveness of its privacy settings and opt-out tools.

“Florida families deserve to know what is happening with their children's personal information,” Uthmeier said in a fiery statement. “Parents — not technology companies — direct the upbringing of their children. We will hold any company accountable that conceals or exploits that information.”

Data Sold for Profit — Without Parents’ Knowledge

According to the complaint, Roku and its Florida subsidiary collected and sold sensitive data — from voice recordings and viewing histories to device identifiers — without adequate notice or consent. The suit further alleges Roku “willfully disregarded” users’ ages, failing to deploy industry-standard age verification or child-profile systems, allowing it to “bury its head in the sand” while continuing to profit from minors’ data.

Even when users explicitly indicated they were children, the lawsuit says Roku continued processing and selling their information, directly violating Florida’s privacy law.

The company allegedly partnered with “intrusive” data brokers, including Kochava Inc., a firm currently facing its own FTC lawsuit for selling consumer geolocation data. These third parties, the complaint claims, could reconstruct children’s identities by merging Roku data with other datasets.

Penalties Could Reach Millions

Uthmeier seeks civil penalties of up to $150,000 per violation under the Florida Digital Bill of Rights and $10,000 per violation under consumer protection law. The state also demands injunctive relief to force Roku to implement lawful parental controls and stop unauthorized data sales.

“Roku knowingly violated user privacy to boost its advertising revenue,” Uthmeier alleged, calling the company’s actions “unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable.”

Roku, which serves 145 million users nationwide, could face millions in fines if the court rules in Florida’s favor. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

National Spotlight: Michigan’s Parallel Case

Florida’s case follows a similar lawsuit in Michigan, where Attorney General Dana Nessel accused Roku of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by harvesting and monetizing minors’ personal data, including names, addresses, voice recordings, and viewing histories.

Roku has sought to dismiss that case, arguing Michigan lacks standing. But Nessel countered, claiming the state has a “quasi-sovereign interest” in protecting citizens’ privacy.

Florida’s Ongoing Crackdown on Big Tech

Uthmeier’s action against Roku is part of a broader campaign to regulate technology companies and protect children online. He is currently defending Florida’s controversial social media law, which bans users under 13 and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15 — a law blocked by a federal judge but now on appeal.

The attorney general has also filed separate suits against Snap Inc. and multiple pornography websites for failing to implement age verification measures mandated by Florida House Bill 3.

Legal Teams and Representation

The state is represented by James Uthmeier of the Florida Attorney General’s Office and Thomas R. Grady of GradyLaw.
Counsel for Roku was not immediately available.