World · Malaysia Bureau
TikTok to pay $400 million in US children's privacy settlement
The short-form video platform has agreed to a substantial settlement over violations of US child privacy protections. The penalty addresses allegations that TikTok illegally collected personal data from users under 13 without parental consent.
LSN Malaysia ·
TikTok has agreed to pay USD 400 million to settle a significant privacy enforcement action in the United States concerning its handling of children's personal information. The settlement addresses violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law that prohibits websites and online services from collecting personal data from children younger than 13 without verifiable parental permission.
The enforcement action underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of social media platforms' data collection practices, particularly regarding young users. COPPA imposes strict requirements on digital services to protect minors' privacy and has become a focal point for US regulators seeking to hold technology companies accountable for their handling of sensitive information.
The settlement represents one of the larger penalties imposed under the privacy framework and signals heightened enforcement activity against platforms with significant youth user bases. TikTok's agreement to pay the substantial sum reflects the seriousness with which authorities are pursuing compliance with child privacy protections.
The case underscores broader concerns across Southeast Asia and globally about how technology companies manage data from younger users. Regulators in the region have increasingly examined the regional operations of major social media platforms to ensure compliance with local privacy standards and child protection requirements.