Florida sues Netflix over children’s data and parental control
Florida’s lawsuit puts children’s viewing data and parents’ authority at the center of its legal fight with Netflix.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Netflix in St. Johns County. WUSF reports that the suit accuses Netflix of misleading consumers about data tracking and about the protections on children’s profiles.
Parents and children’s privacy
Uthmeier says parents—not a big tech company—should oversee their children’s privacy. Uthmeier has made the case a fight over who directs a child’s upbringing: the parent or the company.
What Florida alleges
According to Recording Law, the Florida complaint alleges Netflix sold Floridians’ sensitive data, including data collected from known children, without the consent required by the Florida Digital Bill of Rights. The complaint alleges that Netflix marketed kids profiles as a protected space “intended for ages 12 and under,” while its telemetry logged children’s playback, searches, scrolling and device signals.
- “Parents, not streaming corporations need to direct the upbringing of children,”1 Uthmeier said.
- “Autoplay undermines parental control of screen time and content consumption,”2 the complaint says.
A Netflix spokesperson said the “lawsuit lacks merit”3 and that the company will defend itself in court3.
Five counts, child penalties
Florida brings five counts, four under its deceptive-practices law and one under the Florida Digital Bill of Rights4, and penalties can be tripled when a known child is involved4.
Relief and next steps
Florida asks the court to stop the alleged practices and require Netflix to purge certain data. CBS reports that the state seeks billions in damages3. As of September 11, no court had ruled and Netflix had not yet answered4. The suit widens Uthmeier’s campaign against Big Tech: he sued Snap in April 20255 and TikTok in June2, and a suit against Roblox is pending5. Families and policymakers will be watching how the case proceeds.
Sources
- Uthmeier’s tech crackdown targets Netflix
- Florida sues Netflix over data collection from minor users
- Florida AG James Uthmeier announces lawsuit against Netflix alleging tech giant monitors children's activity
- Florida Sues Netflix Over Children's Data Under State Privacy Law
- AG Uthmeier announces lawsuit against Netflix, claims company targets children
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