TikTok Agrees to $400 Million Settlement with US Over Alleged COPPA Violations
A major settlement has been reached between TikTok, its parent company ByteDance, and the US Department of Justice. The social media platform will pay a staggering $400 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a law designed to protect minors’ personal information online.
At the heart of this issue is TikTok’s handling of user data from children under 13. In 2019, its predecessor Musical.ly agreed to pay $5.7 million for violating COPPA rules by collecting personal data without parental consent. However, despite promises to comply with these regulations, investigations revealed that TikTok continued to collect and retain this sensitive information without proper oversight.
The Department of Justice alleged that TikTok knowingly allowed children to create regular accounts outside its “Kids Mode,” which was designed to limit interactions between minors and adult users. Furthermore, the company failed to delete accounts and data when parents requested it, and had inadequate procedures for finding and removing underage accounts. These practices raised significant concerns about the protection of young users’ personal information.
The settlement marks a major victory for the Department of Justice in its efforts to ensure companies comply with COPPA regulations. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasized that “companies that collect children’s personal information must comply with the law.” The $400 million agreement is one of the largest ever reached in a COPPA case, reflecting the severity of TikTok’s alleged violations.
In addition to the monetary settlement, TikTok has made significant changes to its operations since 2024. These include improving age-related controls, strengthening parental oversight, and enhancing data management practices. While this settlement resolves only allegations and does not imply liability, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting minors’ online privacy.
For parents and users who rely on TikTok, this development highlights the need to be vigilant about online security. Ensure that your account settings are set to restrict interactions with children under 13, and regularly review your data retention preferences to prevent unauthorized collection of personal information. By taking these simple steps, you can help safeguard your own online security and contribute to a safer digital environment for all users.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-08-24