FTC and DOJ Sue TikTok for Alleged Child Privacy Violations: A Deep Dive into the Legal Battle

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are taking on TikTok, alleging the platform has violated child privacy laws. The FTC claims TikTok is either breaking or on the verge of breaking regulations under the FTC Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This move follows a prolonged investigation, digging up concerns that echo past issues with TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly, which already settled privacy violations back in 2019.

The investigation points to potential deceit regarding user data access, particularly involving data possibly being accessible in China. The FTC's referral to the DOJ, a rare public announcement, is intended to serve the public interest. This legal pressure compounds TikTok’s ongoing battles, including efforts to avert a potential U.S. ban due to perceived national security risks tied to its Chinese ownership.

In response, TikTok expressed disappointment, highlighting their cooperation with the FTC over the past year and disagreeing with the allegations. The company maintains that many of the claims are outdated or inaccurate, insisting they’ve taken significant steps to protect children's privacy and plan to continue improving their platform.

For more details, check out the full article on [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/02/ftc-and-justice-department-sue-tiktok-over-alleged-child-privacy-violations/).