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TikTok and ByteDance Consent to $400 Million Settlement in Children's Privacy Case

The companies have agreed to resolve allegations that TikTok violated children's privacy law.

4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 21, 2026, 4:37 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 21, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ETWritten Aug 21, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
TikTok and ByteDance have to a $400 million with the U.S. Department of Justice, resolving a case over allegations that TikTok violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), according to TechCrunch. The DOJ alleged that TikTok allowed millions of children under 13 to use the platform and collected their personal information without parental consent. The , reported by TechCrunch, was reached in a district court proceeding and is documented in a . The companies have agreed to the , which resolves the allegations without a trial. The case is now at the stage.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 21, 2026, 4:56 p.m. ET

    TikTok and ByteDance Settle Children's Privacy Case for $400 Million

    TikTok and ByteDance have agreed to a $400 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice to resolve a civil case alleging violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), according to TechCrunch.

    The DOJ alleged that TikTok allowed millions of children under 13 to use the platform and collected their personal information without parental consent. The settlement was reached by consent, according to TechCrunch. The litigation release did not state whether the companies admitted wrongdoing.

  2. Aug 21, 2026, 4:52 p.m. ET

    TikTok and ByteDance Agree to $400 Million Settlement in Children's Privacy Case

    TikTok and ByteDance have agreed to pay $400 million to settle a civil lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to TechCrunch. The settlement resolves allegations that TikTok violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by allowing millions of children under 13 to use the platform and collecting their personal information without parental consent.

    The DOJ filed the case in district court, and the settlement was reached with the companies' consent. The $400 million payment is the monetary relief agreed upon in the settlement, though TechCrunch's report does not specify whether it is a penalty, disgorgement, or redress to consumers.

  3. Aug 21, 2026, 4:37 p.m. ETFirst report

    TikTok and ByteDance Reach $400 Million Settlement in Children's Privacy Case

    The U.S. Department of Justice announced that TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to a $400 million settlement to resolve a civil case alleging violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The DOJ alleged that TikTok allowed millions of children under 13 to use the platform and collected their personal information without parental consent, according to TechCrunch.

    The settlement, which the DOJ described as consented, was detailed in a litigation release. The case was filed in district court. The cause of the alleged violation has not been determined, and the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.

    The development is ongoing, and further details may emerge as the settlement is finalized.

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Revision history

  1. Version 121 Aug 2026, 21:00current

    First published.

  2. Version 121 Aug 2026, 20:37current

    First published.

  3. Version 121 Aug 2026, 20:52current

    First published.

  4. Version 121 Aug 2026, 20:56current

    First published.

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