Florida sues Netflix for tracking children’s data

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) filed a lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix on Wednesday, alleging the company tracked children’s data and exploited advertising techniques.“Netflix told Florida families they could pay a monthly fee to escape Big Tech surveillance. That was false,” Uthmeier said in a press release.“Netflix collected detailed data on children and families, designed its product to keep kids watching, and then commercialized that information to launch the advertising business it promised never to build. Parents, not corporate executives, direct the upbringing of their children. Netflix should expect to be held accountable.” According to Uthmeier’s press release and the complaint, Netflix’s chief executive said that the platform does not collect any data. “We don’t collect anything,” the chief executive said, adding that the company was a “safe respite” where families could “relax and have none of the controversy around exploiting users with advertising.”The complaint alleged that Netflix recorded behavioral events, such as which content was watched, paused, rewound, or skipped, to drive advertising. Uthmeier’s release also indicated that Netflix’s child profiles are misleading to parents.Netflix’s privacy policy describes which information it collects from users who have ad-supported plans: “Behavioral Advertisements are those advertisements that are selected based on your use and/or interactions with unaffiliated third party websites/apps over time.”The policy also states it does “not engage in behavioral advertising on a Kids profile.”The complaint alleged that children’s viewing behavior is still tracked and that Netflix violated Florida law by not obtaining consent before tracking behavior. The attorney general’s office alleged Netflix violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Florida Digital Bill of Rights.“They weren’t just collecting data, they were ensuring that kids would be stuck on the screens,” Uthmeier said during a press conference on Wednesday. He said Netflix is designed with algorithms and addictive features that keep children scrolling.“This came to our attention as we were talking to parents that believe that they were misled,” Uthmeier said. “We don’t want anyone stealing or profiting off of kids’ data without parental permission.”OPENAI HIRES CHUCK SCHUMER’S DAUGHTER AS LEAD GOVERNMENT OUTREACH DURING REGULATORY TALKSUthmeier said Florida is seeking billions in damages and large civil penalties. The Washington Examiner contacted the Office of the Florida Department of Legal Affairs for comment.