Texas declared legal war on Netflix. The state’s current prosecutor, Ken Paxton, filed a 59-page lawsuit on Monday accusing the streaming giant of collect personal data from your usersincluding children, without their knowledge or consent, and then sell them to third parties to generate billions of dollars.
The accusation is direct and quite serious. According to Paxton, Netflix lied for years to its subscribers by ensuring that it did not collect or share deepest information. The lawsuit even cites a statement from co-founder Reed Hastings in 2019, where he publicly stated “we do not collect anything,” in contrast to giants like Google or Facebook.
The reality, according to Texas, was completely different. Netflix tracked viewing habits, searches, devices, home networks and in-app behaviorsall to build advertising profiles that were then sold to data brokers and advertising technology companies.
The lawsuit was filed in the District of Collin County, near Dallas, and alleges that Netflix violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Children in the crosshairs and the “dark traps” of autoplay
What is most outrageous in the lawsuit is the part that involves minors. Texas accuses Netflix of collect behavioral data from child profilesthose that the platform promotes as safe spaces for children.
Furthermore, the prosecutor points to something that everyone who has Netflix knows well: autoplay. That function that starts the next episode without asking your permission is described in the lawsuit as a “dark pattern” designed to keep users, especially children, glued to the screen as long as possible.
The objective, according to the text of the lawsuit, is clear: “to engage children and families in front of the screen, collect their data while they are trapped there, and then monetize that information.”
What Texas asks of Netflix and how the company responded
The consequences that Texas seeks are concrete:
- Delete all illegally collected data
- Prohibit its use for advertising without explicit consent
- Disable autoplay by default in child profiles
- Civil fines of up to $10,000 for each violation
Netflix did not remain silent. A company spokesperson responded that the lawsuit “lacks merit and is based on inaccurate and distorted information,” adding that the company complies with privacy laws in all markets where it operates.
It is worth clarifying that the accusations have not yet been proven in court. The case is in its initial stages.
Why did Texas sue Netflix for privacy?
Prosecutor Ken Paxton accuses Netflix of collecting personal data from users, including minors, without their consent, and selling it to advertising brokers. This, according to Texas, contradicts years of public statements by the company and violates the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
What can happen to Netflix if it loses the lawsuit?
Texas requires Netflix to delete illegally collected data, stop using it for advertising without permission, and pay fines of up to $10,000 for each individual violation. The economic impact could be millions given the volume of users in the state.
Does Netflix really spy on children?
That’s what the lawsuit alleges. Texas claims Netflix collected behavioral data from profiles designed for minors and used features like autoplay to keep them watching longer. Netflix denies the allegations and says it complies with all applicable privacy regulations.
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