Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into 14 tech companies, including popular platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and Discord, for violations of child privacy and safety laws. The companies are accused of breaching the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). These laws are designed to safeguard minors’ personal data and ensure that tech companies comply with strict regulations when handling children’s information.
The SCOPE Act requires digital service providers to obtain parental consent before collecting, sharing, or selling minors’ personal data. Additionally, the TDPSA mandates companies to meet tough notice and consent requirements when collecting and using personal information from children. The investigations are a response to growing concerns about the potential exploitation and harm children may face online, particularly on social media and through AI platforms.
Paxton has been actively enforcing Texas’ data privacy laws, having previously sued TikTok for violating the SCOPE Act in October. This is part of a broader effort to hold technology companies accountable for their data practices. In recent months, Paxton’s office has also sent violation notices to several other companies and reached a significant settlement with Meta, which paid $1.4 billion to resolve claims related to facial recognition data collection.
With these investigations, Paxton aims to ensure that tech companies are held responsible for protecting children’s privacy and adhering to the strict standards outlined in Texas’ privacy laws. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the broader tech industry, especially regarding the protection of minors in the digital age.
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