Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are free, but are they really? Because if you’re not paying for a product, there’s a good chance you are the product. These platforms monetize the data they have on you, but kids are supposed to be exempt, especially those under the age of 13. Now, TikTok has agreed to settle with the DOJ over its child privacy lawsuit.
TikTok to settle child privacy lawsuit with DOJ
For those unfamiliar, back in August 2024, TikTok was hit by a lawsuit by the DOJ for allegedly violating child privacy laws, or specifically, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
You see, by right under this law, companies cannot collect data on users under the age of 13. However, TikTok was accused of violating this by knowingly allowing children to create accounts on its platform. They also failed to delete those accounts at the request of parents. The latter of which is also another alleged violation, because under COPPA, these platforms are legally required to delete accounts of users under 13 when faced with a request by a parent.
Fast forward to today, and TikTok is looking to put all of this behind them. The company has agreed to settle with the DOJ. According to the New York Times, the total settlement includes $300 million over this case. There is an additional $100 million, which is owed after the Justice Department asked the court to override an agreement TikTok made in 2019 to address privacy concerns.
Unnecessarily complicated
It’s obviously not a bad thing that TikTok is facing financial penalties for its alleged violation of COPPA. However, it would be simpler to just ban kids from social media entirely. Or at least that’s what a number of countries and governments around the world are doing. Over in Australia, the country was the first to implement a social media ban for its youth.
Eventually other countries like France and the UK implemented something similar of their own. But is this necessarily the best move? An outright ban seems simpler and cleaner. But unsurprisingly, Meta doesn’t think so. The company has urged Australia to rethink its ban, claiming that it could drive teens to “dark corners” of the internet. Then again, it’s hardly the most objective point of view.
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