Michigan Attorney General Sues Roku Over Children’s Privacy Violations
LANSING, MI – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a significant legal action against Roku, Inc., accusing the popular streaming service of violating both federal and state privacy laws. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, claims Roku has breached the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.
According to the allegations, Roku collects and permits third parties to gather personal information from children without notifying parents or obtaining necessary consent. With millions of households in Michigan using the platform, the implications are substantial. Unlike its competitors, Roku does not allow parents to set up separate profiles for children, exposing them to the same aggressive data collection practices that apply to all users.
The suit asserts that Roku gathers sensitive data, including children’s locations, voice recordings, and browsing histories. Furthermore, it charges Roku with enabling third-party channels to collect such information to boost advertising revenue while partnering with data brokers known for invasive tracking practices.
COPPA regulates how companies handle children’s data, particularly voice data, yet the lawsuit claims Roku has disregarded these legal safeguards. Attorney General Nessel stated, "Roku has blatantly violated children’s privacy laws, illegally exposing kids across Michigan to invasive data collection practices." She emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting children’s personal information from exploitation by corporate entities.
The lawsuit seeks to halt these alleged illegal practices and enforce compliance with both federal and state laws regarding children’s privacy. Additionally, the Attorney General is pursuing damages, restitution, and civil penalties for Roku’s alleged violations over the years. This action highlights ongoing concerns surrounding data privacy and children’s security in the digital age.
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