TikTok To Pay $400M In Justice Department Settlement Over Children’s Privacy

The Department of Justice has secured a $400M settlement in its Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) case against TikTok. After filing a complaint in 2024, the DOJ announced on Friday it has resolved litigation with TikTok, ByteDance and affiliated entities (TikTok) over collection of children’s personal information, marking one of the largest financial recoveries ever in a COPPA case. TikTok has already implemented significant changes to ownership, management, compliance functions and privacy practices since the DOJ filed the complaint, with extensive measures taken to improve safeguards for younger users. “This settlement is a major victory for American children and parents,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. in a statement. “The Department’s priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations. This resolution secures a substantial recovery while reinforcing the protections that families expect and deserve.” Watch on Deadline Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division said, “Companies that collect children’s personal information must comply with the law. This resolution secures a significant monetary recovery and reflects the Department’s commitment to ensuring children receive the full protections that Congress mandated.”