TikTok Children’s Data Privacy Lawsuit—Parents Can Join Class Action After DOJ Files COPPA Violations Complaint
The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance in August 2024 for violating federal children’s privacy laws. Parents whose children under 13 used TikTok can now join the class action multidistrict litigation (MDL) to seek compensation and hold the platform accountable.
The lawsuit alleges TikTok knowingly collected personal information from millions of children without parental consent, despite a 2019 court order requiring COPPA compliance. In June 2025, a federal court appointed interim lead counsel for the multidistrict litigation, clearing the path for parents to take action.
What TikTok Is Accused of Doing
The government’s lawsuit alleges TikTok violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by allowing children under 13 to create accounts and collecting extensive personal data without notifying parents or obtaining their consent.
TikTok allegedly collected names, email addresses, phone numbers, location data, device information, viewing habits, and persistent identifiers used to build profiles and target advertising to children. The platform retained this information and used it to curate content designed to keep children engaged so TikTok could serve them behavioral advertising.
Even when parents requested deletion of their children’s accounts and data, TikTok allegedly failed to comply. The lawsuit describes a “convoluted” deletion process that made it difficult for parents to protect their children’s privacy.
The government also alleges that until at least late 2020, when a child tried to sign up but was rejected after entering a birthdate showing they were under 13, TikTok didn’t prevent them from trying again with a different birthdate—even though the platform already knew the user was a child.
This Isn’t TikTok’s First Privacy Violation
In 2019, TikTok’s predecessor Musical.ly paid $5.7 million to settle COPPA violations with the FTC. The settlement included a court order requiring TikTok to take specific measures to comply with federal children’s privacy laws.
The current lawsuit alleges TikTok continued violating COPPA despite that court order. This pattern of repeat violations prompted the DOJ and FTC to file the new enforcement action.
“TikTok knowingly and repeatedly violated kids’ privacy, threatening the safety of millions of children across the country,” FTC Chair Lina Khan stated when the lawsuit was filed.
Who Can Take Action
Parents whose children under 13 used TikTok and had their personal information collected without parental consent may be eligible to join the class action litigation.
You may qualify if your child created a TikTok account while under age 13, whether in the regular TikTok app or “Kids Mode.” Multiple class action lawsuits filed by parents in California, Connecticut, Florida, and New Jersey are being consolidated in the multidistrict litigation.
The MDL case, formally titled “In Re: TikTok, Inc., Minor Privacy Litigation” (MDL No. 2:25-ml-03144), is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
What Actions Parents Can Take
Join the Class Action MDL Contact attorneys representing parents in the multidistrict litigation. Cohen Milstein, appointed as interim lead counsel in June 2025, is coordinating the cases. Other law firms including Silver Golub & Teitell LLP, Lexington Law Group LLP, and Seeger Weiss LLP are representing plaintiffs.
File a Claim in State-Specific Cases Individual class actions filed in specific states may offer additional avenues for relief. California, Connecticut, Florida, and New Jersey have active cases with different legal claims under state privacy and consumer protection laws.
Request Account Deletion Even if you join the lawsuit, request deletion of your child’s TikTok account and all associated data. Document your deletion request and TikTok’s response—this evidence could support your claim.
Gather Documentation Save any breach notification letters, account creation records, evidence your child was under 13 when using TikTok, and correspondence with TikTok about privacy concerns or deletion requests.
Consult a Privacy Attorney Contact attorneys specializing in children’s privacy law and class action litigation for a free case evaluation. They can explain your legal options and whether your family qualifies for the litigation.
Recent $92 Million TikTok Settlement
In a separate case, TikTok agreed to a $92 million settlement in 2021 to resolve claims about illegal collection of biometric data and personal information. That settlement addressed different privacy violations than the current children’s privacy lawsuit.
The 2021 settlement provided payments to TikTok users who filed valid claims and required injunctive relief to protect users’ information going forward.
What Compensation May Be Available
The class action lawsuit seeks damages for privacy violations, civil penalties, injunctive relief requiring TikTok to comply with COPPA, destruction of illegally collected children’s data, and changes to TikTok’s privacy practices and parental consent procedures.
The DOJ’s enforcement action seeks civil penalties and a court order preventing future COPPA violations. Individual class action cases also seek damages for unjust enrichment, unfair business practices, and invasion of privacy.
The exact compensation will depend on court rulings and any settlement negotiations. Similar children’s privacy settlements have resulted in substantial payouts—the Instagram Class Action Lawsuit, Mental Health Crisis Allegations, Biometric Privacy Violations & December 2025 Legal Developments shows how social media platforms face increasing accountability for privacy violations.
Critical Privacy Protections for Parents
COPPA prohibits websites and apps from collecting personal information from children under 13 without providing notice to parents and obtaining verifiable parental consent. Operators must also delete children’s information at parents’ request.
TikTok’s alleged violations expose a broader problem with how social media platforms handle children’s data. Parents should actively monitor their children’s online activity, use parental controls and privacy settings, teach children about online privacy risks, and verify age-appropriate content restrictions are enabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if TikTok collected my child’s data?
If your child created a TikTok account while under age 13, TikTok likely collected their personal information. The lawsuit alleges TikTok collected data from all child users, whether they used regular accounts or Kids Mode.
Is the lawsuit only for children who used TikTok before 2019?
No. The lawsuit covers children whose data was collected at any time since the 2019 court order through the present. Recent violations are included in the litigation.
What if my child lied about their age?
The lawsuit alleges TikTok knew when users were children based on initially submitted birthdates, even if children later re-registered with false birthdates. You may still have a claim.
Can I join the lawsuit if I already deleted my child’s account?
Yes. Previous deletion of the account doesn’t prevent you from joining the class action. The lawsuit addresses past data collection and retention practices.
Will joining the lawsuit cost me money?
Class action attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you recover compensation. Most offer free case evaluations to determine eligibility.
How long will the lawsuit take?
Class action litigation typically takes several years. The multidistrict litigation process can streamline proceedings, but settlement negotiations or trial will take time.
What should I do if my child currently uses TikTok?
Request deletion of their account and data, enable all available parental controls, consult with a privacy attorney about your legal options, and monitor their online activity closely until the privacy issues are resolved.
Last Updated: January 22, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice.
Take action now: If your child under 13 used TikTok, contact a qualified privacy attorney to evaluate your eligibility for the class action litigation and protect your family’s rights.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Official Sources:
- U.S. Department of Justice Press Release (August 2, 2024): Justice Department Sues TikTok for Children’s Privacy Violations
- Federal Trade Commission Statement (August 2, 2024): FTC Investigation Leads to Lawsuit Against TikTok
- Cohen Milstein Case Information: In Re: TikTok, Inc., Minor Privacy Litigation
- NPR Verified News Coverage: DOJ Sues TikTok Over Children’s Data
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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