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Texas Accuses Netflix of Child Spying
12 May
Summary
- Texas claims Netflix tracks and sells user data to brokers.
- The suit alleges Netflix uses 'dark patterns' to keep users watching.
- Texas seeks data purge, consent for ads, and civil fines.
Texas has initiated legal action against Netflix, accusing the streaming service of surreptitiously tracking children and intentionally designing its platform for addiction. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, asserts that Netflix misled consumers by claiming it did not collect or share user data.
Instead, the complaint alleges that Netflix actively monitored viewing habits and sold this information to data brokers and advertising companies. This practice, occurring over several years, reportedly generated billions in revenue. The suit also points to Netflix's use of 'dark patterns,' such as an autoplay feature, to ensure users remain engaged.
Texas cites a recent California verdict against Meta and YouTube as precedent for its case. Paxton stated that Netflix falsely presented itself as a refuge from data-hungry tech companies while engaging in similar data harvesting. The state is seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, along with a demand that Netflix cease illegal data collection and obtain user consent for targeted advertising.
