Texas Sues Netflix Over Alleged Spying on Minors and Addictive Features
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Netflix on May 11, accusing it of scanning minors’ viewing history and device data without consent and seeking damages. Plaintiffs claim Netflix’s binge-promoting features have addicted children, a move that could raise compliance costs and dent subscriber trust.
1. Lawsuit Allegations
On May 11, Texas AG Ken Paxton filed suit against Netflix, alleging unauthorized collection of minors’ viewing histories and device information. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and injunctions to halt the practices.
2. Claims of Addictive Design
The lawsuit asserts that Netflix engineered autoplay and recommendation algorithms to foster binge-watching in children, characterizing the features as intentionally addictive.
3. Potential Financial and Reputational Impact
If found liable, Netflix could face multi-million-dollar penalties, increased regulatory scrutiny, and higher compliance costs, while negative publicity may erode subscriber confidence.