Event
The US Department of Justice announced that TikTok will pay $400 million to settle a 2024 lawsuit alleging violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The DOJ alleged TikTok collected data from children without parental consent and failed to delete accounts upon request. TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and a further $100 million upon the vacating of a prior consent decree against its predecessor, Musical.ly. The settlement is described as one of the largest recoveries in a COPPA case.
2 published stories · artificial-intelligence · source reliability 67%
The settlement resolves a 2024 Department of Justice suit alleging violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, with payments linked to the vacating of a prior consent decree.
Background
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have agreed to pay $400 million to settle a 2024 lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The suit alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), specifically that TikTok collected personal data from users under 13 without parental consent and failed to delete accounts upon request. This follows a 2019 settlement where TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, paid $5.7 million for similar allegations. The DOJ characterised the new deal as one of the largest recoveries in a COPPA case, noting that TikTok has since implemented changes to its ownership, management, and privacy practices, including a new joint ownership structure in the US finalised in January.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have agreed to pay $400 million to settle a 2024 lawsuit brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The suit alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), specifically that TikTok collected personal data
Fact cards
Key entities: TikTok, US Department of Justice, Musical.ly, ByteDance, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, TikTok USDS Joint Venture.
How much is TikTok paying to settle the lawsuit? TikTok will pay a total of $400 million, comprising $300 million immediately and $100 million upon the vacating of a prior consent decree. What law did TikTok allegedly violate? The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The Verge | https://www.theverge.com/tech/983531/tiktok-settle-doj-lawsuit-coppa | published 2026-08-21T22:13:34.000Z | primary source | Engadget | https://www.engadget.com/2241964/tiktok-will-pay-400-million-to-settle-justice-department-lawsuit-over-child-privacy | published 202
2019: Musical.ly (TikTok’s predecessor) pays $5.7 million to settle similar COPPA allegations and commits to preventing children under 13 from creating accounts. 2024: The US Department of Justice files a lawsuit against TikTok alleging continued violations of COPPA, including fa
Timeline
Musical.ly (TikTok’s predecessor) pays $5.7 million to settle similar COPPA allegations and commits to preventing children under 13 from creating accounts.
The US Department of Justice files a lawsuit against TikTok alleging continued violations of COPPA, including failure to identify and remove underage users.
The deal to place TikTok under a new joint ownership structure in the US is finalised.
The DOJ announces the $400 million settlement, with $300 million payable immediately and $100 million contingent on the vacating of the prior Musical.ly consent decree.
FAQ
TikTok will pay a total of $400 million, comprising $300 million immediately and $100 million upon the vacating of a prior consent decree.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The DOJ alleged TikTok collected data from children without parental consent and failed to delete accounts upon parental request.
In 2019, Musical.ly paid $5.7 million to settle similar COPPA allegations.
US$400 million.
US$300 million is paid immediately, and US$100 million is payable after a prior FTC agreement is vacated.
Allowing children under 13 to create accounts, improper data collection in "Kids Mode," and failure to delete children’s data upon parental request.
A new entity for the US business controlled by investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, with ByteDance retaining a 19.9 per cent stake.