Texas Authorities Sue Netflix Over 'Tracking' Children 0 12

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that Netflix has been deceiving consumers for several years by claiming it does not collect or share their data, but it turned out that the company was tracking and selling viewer preferences to commercial brokers and advertising technology firms, earning billions of dollars a year, reports The Guardian.

Netflix was also accused of using "hidden tactics" to keep users on screen, including the autoplay feature that launches a new series after the previous one ends.

It is noted that the Texas complaint came after a series of lawsuits against technology companies over features that, according to the plaintiffs, are addictive and dangerous for children.

"For many years, Netflix's management has told the world that it has 'zero interest' in advertising... and positioned itself as a refuge against major advertising technology companies... But once Netflix accumulated user data, following these promises, it changed its strategy and built an advertising business that replicates everything it once criticized," the complaint states.

The document also reports that Netflix's ultimate goal is to "chain children and families to screens, collect their data while they are there, and then monetize that data for a decent profit."

The Attorney General demands that the streaming service delete illegally collected data, not use it for targeted advertising without user consent, and pay civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation.

The new lawsuit against Netflix is part of the growing pressure on major technology platforms that are accused of excessive data collection and creating mechanisms that keep users glued to screens. If the company loses, it may face not only hefty fines but also stricter regulations regarding its dealings with child audiences, reports bb.lv.