Oregon has officially joined a lawsuit against popular social media app TikTok, following concerns about the platform’s data collection and privacy practices. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok has been collecting and selling users’ personal information, including their locations, age, and phone numbers, without their consent.
The lawsuit, led by the state of Texas, accuses TikTok of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and state consumer protection laws. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum stated that the app’s actions put children at risk of being targeted by online predators and exposed to inappropriate content.
TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries over its data privacy practices. In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for TikTok stated that the company takes privacy seriously and has implemented measures to protect user data.
Oregon is not the only state to take legal action against TikTok. California, Massachusetts, and other states have also joined the lawsuit, which seeks to hold the app accountable for its alleged violations of privacy laws.
This lawsuit is just one example of the growing concerns surrounding social media platforms and their handling of user data. As more and more people use these platforms for communication and entertainment, there is a need for stricter regulations to ensure that users’ privacy rights are protected.
The outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for TikTok and other social media companies, as it could set a precedent for how these companies are held accountable for their data practices. In the meantime, users are advised to take caution when sharing personal information on social media platforms and to familiarize themselves with the privacy policies of the apps they use.
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