Texas Sues Netflix for Illegal Data Collection and Addictive Design Targeting Children

The US state of Texas has filed a lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix, accusing the company of illegally collecting data from children and other consumers without consent. The complaint, filed in Collin County, alleges that Netflix engaged in deceptive practices by falsely claiming it did not track or share user data while simultaneously selling viewing habits to data brokers for significant profit. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asserts that Netflix violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by employing 'dark patterns,' such as autoplay features, designed to make the platform addictive and keep users, particularly children, glued to their screens. The state seeks the deletion of illegally collected data, a ban on using such information for targeted advertising without consent, and civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation. In response, Netflix dismissed the accusations as unfounded, stating the lawsuit relies on inaccurate information. The company emphasized its compliance with global privacy laws and highlighted the availability of parental control tools. This legal action underscores growing regulatory scrutiny over tech companies' data handling practices and their impact on youth welfare.