DOJ announces $400M TikTok settlement over children's privacy allegations

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok, ByteDance and affiliated entities to resolve litigation concerning compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and its implementing regulations.  

Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok predecessor Musical.ly. The Justice Department said the settlement represents one of the largest recoveries ever obtained in a COPPA case.  

"This settlement is a major victory for American children and parents," Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said. "The Department's priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations."  

According to the Justice Department, TikTok has made significant changes to its ownership, management, compliance functions and privacy practices since the government filed its complaint in 2024. The company has implemented measures designed to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls and enhance parental oversight, the department said.  

The Justice Department said the settlement recognizes those compliance improvements while securing a substantial monetary recovery and avoiding prolonged litigation.  

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The matter was handled by the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch following a referral from the Federal Trade Commission.  

Related: The case against TikTok