Archive · 23 Aug 2026
TikTok Agrees to Pay $400 Million Over Children’s Privacy Violations
The U.S. government said TikTok collected personal information from children younger than 13 without getting permission from their parents.
It also said children were allowed to use features that could connect them with adults.
The government said TikTok did not always remove children’s accounts when parents asked.
These actions may violate a law called COPPA, which protects children’s privacy online.
TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, agreed to pay $400 million to end the lawsuit.
They will pay $300 million now and possibly another $100 million later.
TikTok did not admit that it broke the law.
Government officials said the settlement should help protect children and parents.
TikTok and ByteDance agreed to pay $400 million to settle a Justice Department lawsuit.
The government accused TikTok of collecting and retaining data from millions of children under 13 without parental consent.
The lawsuit alleged TikTok allowed children to create accounts, post videos, and interact with adults.
TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and $100 million after an older Musical.ly consent decree is vacated.
TikTok settled without admitting wrongdoing, while officials described the agreement as a victory for families.
- Who
- The Justice Department sued TikTok and ByteDance; Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. commented on the settlement.
- What
- TikTok and ByteDance agreed to a $400 million settlement over alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
- When
- The Justice Department announced the agreement on Friday, August 21, 2026; the lawsuit was filed in 2024.
- Where
- The case concerns TikTok’s operations in the United States.
- Why
- The government alleged TikTok collected and retained children’s personal information without parental consent and failed to delete some accounts when parents requested it.
Justice Department’s allegations
TikTok’s settlement position
Collection of children’s data
Justice Department’s allegations
The government alleged TikTok knowingly collected and retained personal information from millions of children under 13 without parental consent.
TikTok’s settlement position
TikTok agreed to settle the allegations but did not admit that it violated the law.
Children’s access to the platform
Justice Department’s allegations
The lawsuit alleged TikTok allowed children to create accounts, make videos, and interact with adults.
TikTok’s settlement position
TikTok avoided further litigation through the settlement and did not concede the government’s claims.
Compliance with earlier requirements
Justice Department’s allegations
The government alleged TikTok violated a 2019 consent decree requiring it to follow specific children’s privacy rules.
TikTok’s settlement position
The settlement provides for the additional $100 million payment once a court vacates that older consent decree, while the Justice Department noted changes in TikTok’s ownership, management, and privacy practices.
- Settlement amount
- $400 million
- Immediate payment
- $300 million
- Conditional payment
- $100 million, due after a court vacates the older Musical.ly consent decree
- Law involved
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA
- Lawsuit filed
- 2024
- Earlier settlement
- TikTok agreed to pay $5.7 million in 2019 over similar allegations
- Admission of wrongdoing
- TikTok settled without admitting fault