Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Netflix over claims it not only spies on you by collecting data without your permission but has also designed its service to keep you hooked — and your kids.According to the lawsuit, Netflix claims that it doesn't gather "extensive" user data but is actually tracking sensitive behavior (such as viewing activity and device use) that is sold to ad tech companies and data brokers for "billions" of dollars every year without subscribers' knowledge or consent.This includes kids' profiles, the Attorney General's office says.
Related 5 ways Netflix is becoming more than a streaming service for movies and TV Here are things to do that don't involve movies or TV shows.Posts By Dan Girolamo The suit also maintains that Netflix is designed to be "addictive" and steer users into taking the actions it wants, such as autoplaying shows.Even children are encouraged to keep watching for "extended periods," according to the Attorney General's office.
Texas hopes to find Netflix in violation of the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act.If successful, the suit would block Netflix from collecting and sharing Texan customers' data without clear notice and would require parental consent for children's data.It would also demand that autoplay be turned off by default for kids' profiles.
The lawsuit could be expensive, as Netflix might pay penalties of up to $10,000 per violation — up to $250,000 for seniors.has asked Netflix for comment and will update if there's a response.How will the Texas lawsuit affect my Netflix service? Streaming might become less personal If the Texas Attorney General succeeds with the lawsuit, Netflix would have to more explicitly tell you what it's collecting and get your clear permission when it asks.
You'd also be less likely to see ads related to what you're watching.Your kids would also have to manually play the next episode of a show unless you say otherwise, so they can't watch whole seasons without grabbing the remote.Netflix won't face a permanent ban unless it refuses to comply.
However, Texas wants a temporary restraining order that would bar the allegedly unlawful data collection — there may be an interruption to your service if Netflix doesn't have a solution in time.Subscribe to our newsletter for streaming privacy insights Get the newsletter for in-depth coverage of the Netflix lawsuit and what it means for streaming privacy, autoplay, and kids' profiles — clear explanations, expert context, and policy implications to help you understand the stakes.Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe anytime.There are implications for other streaming services as well.It's common for rivals like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+ to collect at least some data for tracking views, even if it doesn't necessarily leave the company.
They may have to alter their own data collection and autoplay practices in Texas to avoid similar lawsuits.This won't necessarily lead to varying app features by state, but the days of one-size-fits-all U.S.streaming service functionality might be limited unless Netflix and others apply changes across the country.
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