FTC Refers Child Privacy Complaint Against TikTok to DOJ

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has escalated its actions against TikTok by referring a complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ) following an extensive inquiry into the company's practices concerning privacy and security.

FTC Refers TikTok Complaint to the DOJ

According to FTC Chair Lina Khan, the decision stemmed from findings suggesting potential violations of the FTC Act and the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The DOJ referral marks a significant step in the FTC's regulatory approach toward TikTok, which includes its parent company, ByteDance, and predecessor, Musical.ly.

The investigation, which originated from a compliance review initiated after a 2019 settlement with Musical.ly over alleged COPPA violations, has expanded to encompass broader concerns under the FTC Act.

In a departure from its usual practice, the Commission publicly disclosed its referral of the complaint, citing a perceived public interest in transparency. This move underscores the FTC's intent to vigorously uphold consumer protection standards and ensure that companies adhere to regulatory requirements without exception.

The FTC's statement highlights its collaborative effort with the DOJ in pursuing legal action deemed necessary to safeguard consumer rights and uphold the rule of law. The Commission's decision to refer the complaint was supported by a vote of 3-0-2, with Commissioners Ferguson and Holyoak recused from the proceedings.

Response of TikTok

In response to the FTC's actions, a spokesperson from TikTok told Engadget that the company was disappointed with the Commission's decision.

The company emphasized its ongoing efforts to collaborate with the FTC over the past year to address concerns raised. TikTok asserted that many of the issues cited pertain to historical practices that have either been rectified or inaccurately characterized.

"We're disappointed the agency is pursuing litigation instead of continuing to work with us on a reasonable solution. We strongly disagree with the FTC's allegations, many of which relate to past events and practices that are factually inaccurate or have been addressed," the spokesperson told Engadget. "We're proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we've done to protect children and we will continue to update and improve our product."

Zero-Day Vulnerability Hits TikTok

In related news, a new zero-day vulnerability in TikTok has resulted in the hacking of several celebrity and brand accounts on the platform. According to reports, the breach occurred through the app's Direct Messages (DMs).

Numerous victims have already been impacted by this recent attack, which seemingly required minimal effort beyond recipients opening their messages. This new malware reportedly enabled access to accounts without hackers needing to perform any special actions or for recipients to click on links.

As a result, accounts belonging to entities like CNN, Sony, and public figure Paris Hilton were reportedly compromised. Read more about this story here.