TikTok will pay an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against its predecessor, Musical.ly. A court filing shows that the lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance is being dismissed with prejudice. The settlement does not require TikTok or ByteDance to admit wrongdoing.

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said the settlement is a major victory for American children and parents. He added that the Department’s priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations.

The Department of Justice alleged that TikTok collected personal information from children under age 13 without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents. The agency also alleged that TikTok knowingly permitted children under age 13 to create regular accounts and share short-form videos and messages with adults on the platform. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act requires online services aimed at children to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from users under age 13.

Why It Matters

The $400 million penalty represents an escalation in enforcement of children's privacy laws compared to the $5.7 million settlement in 2019. The dismissal with prejudice concludes a legal battle that began with filings in August 2024, providing finality to the allegations without an admission of liability from the companies involved.

The settlement coincides with ongoing regulatory developments concerning foreign-owned technology platforms. The Department of Justice published a proposed rule titled Provisions Pertaining to "Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons" on October 29, 2024.

Timeline

The Justice Department published a proposed rule titled Provisions Pertaining to Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons on October 29, 2024. On January 8, 2025, the Justice Department published a final rule titled Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons. On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to resolve allegations that the platform violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

On August 21, 2026, Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said the Department’s priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations. The Department of Justice described the $400 million settlement as one of the largest recoveries ever obtained in a case involving COPPA. On the same date, Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said the resolution secures a substantial recovery while reinforcing the protections that families expect and deserve.

What's New

Additional details indicate that ByteDance retains a stake in the TikTok U.S. joint venture. The Department of Justice stated that TikTok has implemented measures to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls, and enhance parental oversight.

Further reporting notes that the lawsuit was filed by the Department of Justice in August 2024. The Department of Justice alleged that TikTok did not delete accounts when parents requested. In 2019, TikTok’s predecessor Musical.ly paid $5.7 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it illegally collected personal information from children in violation of COPPA. The Justice Department published a rule titled Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons on January 8, 2025.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the collection of personal information from children, the U.S. Department of Justice complaint alleges that TikTok collected personal information from children under age 13 without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents. In contrast, the Federal Trade Commission enforcement action against Musical.ly notes that in 2019, TikTok’s predecessor Musical.ly paid $5.7 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it illegally collected personal information from children in violation of COPPA.

Concerning the Department of Justice's actions regarding TikTok and children, the U.S. Department of Justice press release states that the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to resolve allegations that the platform violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The U.S. Department of Justice complaint alleges that TikTok knowingly permitted children under age 13 to create regular accounts and share short-form videos and messages with adults on the platform.

On the topic of the Department of Justice and TikTok children, the U.S. Department of Justice press release announces a $400 million settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to resolve allegations that the platform violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The U.S. Department of Justice complaint alleges that TikTok collected personal information from children under age 13 without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents.

Regarding children online privacy protection, the U.S. Department of Justice press release announces a $400 million settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to resolve allegations that the platform violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Concerning department children personal information, Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. said the Department’s priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations.

Regarding personal information children consent, the U.S. Department of Justice complaint alleges that TikTok collected personal information from children under age 13 without notifying or obtaining consent from their parents.