The FTC has referred its little one privateness case towards TikTok to the Justice Division

The Federal Commerce Fee has its grievance towards TikTok to the Justice Division after a long-running investigation into the corporate’s privateness and safety practices. “Our investigation discovered motive to imagine that TikTok is violating or about to violate the FTC Act and the Youngsters’s On-line Privateness Safety Act (COPPA),” FTC Chair Lina Khan stated in on X.

In a shared by the FTC, the regulator famous its investigation into TikTok after a 2019 privateness settlement associated to Musical.ly, the app acquired by ByteDance that finally grew to become TikTok. The FTC “additionally investigated further potential violations of COPPA and the FTC Act,” it stated. It’s not clear precisely what the FTC turned up, although Politico earlier this 12 months that the regulator was additionally wanting into whether or not TikTok had misled customers about whether or not their private information was accessible to individuals in China.

The assertion itself is a considerably uncommon transfer for the FTC, which acknowledged that it would not usually publicize its referral choices. It stated it believed doing so on this case “was within the public curiosity.” The referral is prone to ramp up stress on TikTok, which can also be combating a authorized battle towards the US authorities to keep away from a . Lawmakers and different officers have alleged the app poses a nationwide safety risk as a consequence of its ties to China.

A TikTok spokesperson advised Engadget in a press release that the corporate was “dissatisfied” with the FTC’s choice. “We have been working with the FTC for greater than a 12 months to deal with its issues,” the spokesperson stated. “We’re dissatisfied the company is pursuing litigation as an alternative of continuous to work with us on an affordable resolution. We strongly disagree with the FTC’s allegations, lots of which relate to previous occasions and practices which are factually inaccurate or have been addressed. We’re pleased with and stay deeply dedicated to the work we have accomplished to guard youngsters and we are going to proceed to replace and enhance our product.”