Texas Sues TikTok for Alleged Violation of Children’s Privacy Laws

Texas filed a lawsuit against TikTok on Thursday, alleging that the platform violated children’s privacy and state law by sharing minors’ personal information without parental consent.

The lawsuit, initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeks an injunction and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation under the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act.

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Paxton stated that TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, lacks adequate tools to protect children’s privacy, even allowing data sharing from “private” accounts and enabling targeted ads to minors.

He emphasised the need for holding TikTok and other tech companies accountable for “exploiting Texas children and neglecting their online safety and privacy.”

The lawsuit was filed in a Galveston County state court. TikTok has not yet responded to the allegations.