The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the platform allowed children under 13 to create accounts and collect personal information without parental consent.

This lawsuit, filed in a California federal court alongside the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), aims to halt TikTok's alleged invasions of children's privacy.

The allegations center around violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which mandates that platforms must obtain parental consent before collecting data from children under 13.

The DOJ argues that TikTok's practices have exposed millions of children to significant privacy risks, including the potential for access to adult content.

It is alleged that the data collected from these children was used for targeted advertising aimed at young users.

Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department's Civil Division, emphasized the necessity of protecting children's privacy from repeat offenders like TikTok.

In response, TikTok has disputed the allegations, asserting that they have addressed past issues and are committed to safeguarding children on their platform.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers are considering the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which aims to enhance control over children's online activities, although its future remains uncertain.

TikTok has faced bipartisan criticism regarding national security concerns and the app's potential to expose young users to harmful content.

In addition to privacy issues, TikTok is also navigating potential bans linked to its Chinese ownership, with legislation signed by President Biden that could lead to a ban unless ByteDance divests from the app.

Lawsuits concerning children's privacy violations have become increasingly common among social media platforms, with significant penalties imposed on companies like Google and Microsoft.