The Justice Department says TikTok will pay $400 million to settle child privacy claims.
Why it matters: The deal could shape how tech platforms collect data on children and how regulators pursue similar cases. It also leaves TikTok facing continued scrutiny over privacy compliance and parental consent practices.
- The Justice Department said TikTok, ByteDance and affiliated entities agreed to a $400 million settlement.
- The case stems from allegations tied to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA.
- The FTC said in 2024 that it referred the complaint after investigating TikTok's child-privacy practices.
- AP and CBS News both reported the same settlement figure and said it resolves children's privacy claims.
The Justice Department said the settlement resolves litigation tied to TikTok's compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. DOJ announcement
The FTC said in a 2024 release that it investigated TikTok's child-privacy practices and referred the complaint to the Justice Department. In that release, the FTC alleged TikTok collected and used personal information from children under 13 without parental consent and violated an existing FTC order. FTC release
Independent reporting from AP and CBS News identified the settlement amount and described the deal as resolving children's privacy claims. The DOJ announcement did not disclose whether TikTok admitted wrongdoing or spell out the settlement's compliance terms.
COPPA is primarily enforced by the FTC, with DOJ involvement in specific cases like this one. The settlement keeps child privacy enforcement in focus for platforms that collect data from younger users. FTC COPPA overview
By the numbers
- 400 million - settlement amount the DOJ says TikTok agreed to pay.
- Under 13 - age group the FTC said TikTok collected personal information from without parental consent.
Yes, but: The DOJ announcement did not say whether TikTok admitted wrongdoing or include the settlement's compliance terms.