TikTok, ByteDance reach $500 million US child privacy settlement
Why it matters: The case targeted alleged violations of a federal law requiring parental consent for collecting data from children under 13.
TikTok and parent company ByteDance reached a $500 million settlement with the US Justice Department over allegations the video app violated children’s online privacy rules. The government had accused the companies of illegally collecting information from children and failing to protect their privacy. The case centered on the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires services directed at children to get parental consent before collecting personal information from users younger than 13. A court filing showed the lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance was dismissed with prejudice after the settlement.