Amid growing scrutiny over data privacy and child protection, the legal landscape for companies like TikTok has become increasingly complex. The U.S. government has stepped up its efforts, highlighted by a recent lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against TikTok. The complaint alleges that TikTok knowingly allowed children under 13 to use its platform and collected their data without obtaining proper consent.
Davis+Gilbert Advertising + Marketing partner Allison Fitzpatrick was quoted in this Law360 article, “TikTok Lawsuit, Kids’ Privacy Bills Push Cos. ‘Back to Basics.’“
In the article, Allison discusses the increasing legal pressures on companies to protect minors online, particularly in the context of recent federal and state actions. She highlights the heightened scrutiny on platforms like TikTok, which are being held accountable for how they handle children’s privacy. Allison comments: “Along with being another example of children’s privacy being a very important priority for the FTC, the commission is also making an example of TikTok and demonstrating the important lesson that, if you have a settlement with the FTC, you need to make sure to honor those commitments, because the second time they come after you, they may not be so understanding.”
Read the full Law360 article for more information on the federal government’s lawsuit challenging TikTok’s policies.