Follow on Telegram

News Technology

TikTok Reaches $400 Million Settlement in Child Privacy Lawsuit

TikTok will pay $400 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement, announced by the DOJ on Friday, represents one of the largest recoveries ever secured under the children's privacy law.

The DOJ alleged that TikTok collected personal data from children without notifying parents or obtaining proper consent. The agency also claimed that the platform failed to delete accounts when parents requested their removal. The case traces back to TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly, which merged with TikTok in 2018.

Under the settlement terms, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million "upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly," according to the DOJ press release. The DOJ noted that TikTok has made significant strides in privacy protections since the 2024 lawsuit was filed.

Sources

Read next

Heidi Health Raises $340M to Develop AI Care Partner for Clinicians

Heidi Health has closed a $340 million funding round to expand development of its AI care partner platform aimed at supporting healthcare clinicians. The investment will accelerate the company's efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into clinical workflows, with a focus on handling administrative tasks that typically consume significant

AI-Powered Malware Automates Cyberattacks, Minimizing Human Involvement

Cybersecurity analysts are raising concerns about the emergence of AI-powered malware capable of conducting attacks with minimal human oversight. These advanced threats leverage machine learning models to automate reconnaissance, exploit vulnerabilities, and adapt their tactics in real time. Unlike traditional malware that relies on static code and predetermined attack patterns,

UN Debates Autonomous Weapons and Superintelligence Risks

The United Nations is emerging as a focal point for international debate on artificial intelligence, with discussions centering on two distinct but overlapping concerns: lethal autonomous weapons systems—often called "killer robots"—and the theoretical risks associated with superintelligent AI. Member nations are exploring how existing international humanitarian