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Children's privacy: TikTok is paying $400 million in the US
Austria🏛️ PoliticsCenteryesterday

Children's privacy: TikTok is paying $400 million in the US

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to pay $400 million (€342 million) to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that they illegally collected personal data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent. The settlement includes $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million once a previous agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding TikTok’s predecessor app, Musical.ly, is terminated. The U.S. Justice Department noted that TikTok has made significant changes to its privacy policies and practices since the lawsuit was filed in 2024, including requiring all users to provide their birthdate and implementing systems to verify ages and delete accounts of users under 13. To avoid a ban on the app in the United States, ByteDance agreed in January to establish a joint venture majority-owned by U.S. entities to protect user data.

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to resolve investigations into allegations that the platform collected personal data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. The settlement does not include an admission of guilt, according to the department. The agreement comes amid changes in ownership of TikTok's U.S. operations and updates to its privacy practices. The Justice Department had filed the lawsuit in 2024 during the tenure of former President Joe Biden. The lawsuit centered on claims that TikTok allowed minors under 13 to create accounts without parental approval, thereby violating federal laws protecting children’s online privacy. The department emphasized that TikTok had made substantial modifications to its data protection policies and business practices since the case was initiated. These included requiring all users to provide their birth dates, implementing systems to verify ages, and deleting tens of thousands of accounts belonging to users younger than 13. Under the terms of the settlement, $300 million will be paid immediately. An additional $100 million will be released once a prior agreement reached in 2019 between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and TikTok’s predecessor company, Musical.ly, is terminated. TikTok did not comment on the settlement. The Justice Department highlighted that the resolution follows a period of uncertainty regarding TikTok’s future in the United States after a nearly one-year legal standoff. The restructuring of TikTok’s U.S. operations came after former President Donald Trump pushed through legislation requiring the Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its majority stake in the American market. This move ensured TikTok could continue operating in the country while complying with U.S. laws. As a result, control of TikTok’s U.S. business transitioned to a new entity owned primarily by American investors starting early in 2026. However, ByteDance continues to hold control over TikTok outside the United States. U.S. law mandates that online platforms set a minimum age of 13 for account creation, aiming to protect young users from potential risks associated with social media. Despite these regulations, instances persist where children create profiles using false birth dates to bypass restrictions. Critics argue that companies have not been sufficiently proactive in preventing such behavior. The Justice Department noted that TikTok’s U.S. joint venture has implemented measures to safeguard user data, including stricter verification processes and enhanced privacy protections. These steps were taken to prevent a potential ban on the app within the United States. The settlement marks a significant step in resolving longstanding concerns about how TikTok handles the personal information of minors, even though the company has not formally acknowledged wrongdoing. The payment reflects both the gravity of the allegations and the broader regulatory environment aimed at ensuring digital safety for children.

3 reports

Der Standard logoDer StandardIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 82yesterday
U.S. Justice Stops Investigation of TikTok After Payment of $400 Million

The U.S. Justice Department has halted investigations against TikTok after the platform agreed to pay $400 million in a settlement. The lawsuit, filed in 2024 under President Joe Biden, accused TikTok of allowing children under 13 to create accounts without parental consent, violating child privacy laws. The settlement does not involve an admission of guilt. Of the $400 million, $300 million is immediately due, with an additional $100 million contingent on the revocation of a 2019 agreement between TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly, and the FTC. TikTok did not comment on the settlement. The case comes amid broader regulatory scrutiny of data collection practices by social media platforms.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the settlement as a legal resolution without overtly criticizing or praising either side. It reports the facts neutrally, including both the U.S. Justice Department's actions and TikTok's lack of comment. While the issue of data privacy and regulation is politically sensitive,特に

Why factuality (88): This article confirms the $400 million settlement and states no admission of guilt, matching the cross-source consensus. It accurately notes the timing of the lawsuit during Biden's administration and references the FTC agreement. The mention of the owner change and updated privacy practices is cons

Why objectivity (82): The article maintains a neutral tone, reporting facts without overt emotional language. While it refers to critics and the issue of fake birth dates, it does not take sides. The phrase 'kein Schuldeingeständnis' is clearly stated, maintaining objectivity.

Kurier logoKurierParty-alignedCenterFactual 86Objective 79yesterday
TikTok is paying $400 million for child accounts

TikTok has agreed to pay $400 million to U.S. authorities as part of a settlement over allegations that it allowed children under 13 to create accounts without parental consent, violating child privacy laws. The U.S. Justice Department stated this was not an admission of guilt. The case relates to concerns over data collection practices and the platform’s failure to enforce age restrictions, which had been mandated by U.S. law. The settlement comes after a legal battle involving former President Joe Biden and follows a controversial ownership change led by former President Donald Trump, who ensured TikTok’s continued operation in the U.S. by facilitating a majority stake transfer to an American-owned company.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the legal proceedings against TikTok, including both the U.S. Justice Department’s claims and the broader context of corporate ownership changes influenced by political figures. It does not overtly favor either side but provides factual background on the U.

Why factuality (86): The article accurately reports the $400 million settlement and the lack of admission of guilt. It includes details about the legal action under Biden and the FTC agreement. The reference to Trump's role in securing TikTok's US operations is consistent with other sources. Minor inconsistencies in phr

Why objectivity (79): While the article presents facts objectively, it includes phrases like 'Trump rettete TikTok in den USA' which imply a positive outcome for TikTok due to Trump's actions. This suggests a slight pro-TikTok bias, though the overall tone remains relatively neutral.

ORF News logoORF NewsState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 782 days ago
Children's privacy: TikTok is paying $400 million in the US

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to pay $400 million (€342 million) to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations that they illegally collected personal data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent. The settlement includes $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million once a previous agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding TikTok’s predecessor app, Musical.ly, is terminated. The U.S. Justice Department noted that TikTok has made significant changes to its privacy policies and practices since the lawsuit was filed in 2024, including requiring all users to provide their birthdate and implementing systems to verify ages and delete accounts of users under 13. To avoid a ban on the app in the United States, ByteDance agreed in January to establish a joint venture majority-owned by U.S. entities to protect user data.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the legal settlement between TikTok, ByteDance, and the U.S. Department of Justice without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the allegations, the financial terms of the settlement, and the measures taken by TikTok to address the concerns raised by the U.S.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a $400 million settlement between TikTok/ByteDance and the US Justice Department over children's data privacy. It aligns with the cross-source consensus that the settlement was reached, with $300M paid immediately and $100M contingent on revoking a previous FTC agreement. The

Why objectivity (78): The tone remains neutral, presenting facts from both the government and TikTok's perspective. However, there is some subtle emphasis on TikTok's compliance efforts and the potential impact of the joint venture, which may suggest a slight pro-TikTok bias. The language around 'verbot' (ban) and 'Daten

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