The law, which went into effect just over a month ago, aims to protect minors by requiring social media platforms to verify the ages of users and implement robust parental controls.
The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s existing tools, like Family Pairing, do not meet the standards of the law. It points out that minors aged 13 to 17 can deny parental requests to use the Family Pairing feature, which allows parents to monitor and control their child’s privacy settings.
Additionally, the complaint asserts that TikTok doesn’t provide parents with adequate control over their child’s personal data and targeted advertising practices, violating the provisions of the SCOPE Act.
TikTok, which already prohibits most targeted ads for users under 18, has responded, stating it offers “robust safeguards” for teens and families.
However, the lawsuit could pose significant challenges for the platform as it faces broader legal pressures in the U.S. concerning data privacy and national security.
This case follows an ongoing Justice Department lawsuit regarding TikTok’s child privacy practices and adds to the platform’s growing legal battles.
The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for social media platforms operating under similar regulations and serves as a key test of Texas’ child privacy laws in the digital age.
