US Department of Justice to sue TikTok

According to a source familiar with the case, the U.S. Department of Justice intends to focus an upcoming suit against TikTok on allegations that the famous social media platform infringed kids’ privacy rights rather than claims that it deceived adult users about its data privacy practices.

Focus on Child Privacy

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to file a lawsuit against TikTok, targeting allegations that the popular social media platform violated the privacy rights of children.

This legal action will focus on claims related to the platform’s handling of children’s data, rather than issues concerning adult users’ data privacy practices.

FTC Investigation and Referral

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated TikTok and its parent company ByteDance for potential violations of children’s privacy rights.

Following the investigation, the FTC referred the case to the DOJ on Tuesday. The FTC stated, “The investigation uncovered reason to believe named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and that a proceeding is in the public interest.”

Previous Allegations and Agreement

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This lawsuit stems from concerns that TikTok did not adhere to a 2019 agreement aimed at protecting children’s privacy. The agreement followed earlier allegations that TikTok failed to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

TikTok’s Response

TikTok has expressed strong disagreement with the FTC’s allegations, stating its disappointment that the agency decided to pursue legal action. The platform has maintained its stance that it prioritizes user privacy and data protection.

Separate Congressional Concerns

The DOJ’s lawsuit is separate from ongoing concerns in Congress regarding the potential for the Chinese government to access data from TikTok’s 170 million U.S. users.

TikTok has consistently denied these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to data security and user privacy.

Divestiture Challenge

In a related legal battle, TikTok is challenging an April law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 19, or face a potential ban.

ByteDance has argued that such a divestiture is “not possible technologically, commercially, or legally,” and claims a ban would be inevitable without court intervention.

The outcome of these legal proceedings will significantly impact TikTok’s operations in the U.S., as well as broader discussions on data privacy and international relations in the tech industry.