The state of Texas has launched a legal challenge against Netflix, accusing the streaming service of covertly tracking and selling user data, particularly targeting children. The lawsuit alleges that Netflix collects personal data without consent and designs its platform to encourage addictive viewing habits.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims Netflix misled consumers by denying data collection practices while reportedly sharing detailed user habits and preferences with commercial data brokers and advertising companies. The complaint describes Netflix’s strategy as an effort to keep viewers, especially children, glued to screens to harvest valuable information for profit.
The lawsuit references statements from former Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who previously asserted that the company did not collect user data, contradicting the allegations. Furthermore, Texas highlights the use of so-called "dark patterns" on the platform, such as autoplay features that automatically start new shows, enticing users to remain engaged longer, particularly on child profiles.
Paxton’s filing invokes the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking to halt the unauthorized data collection and sharing, mandate that autoplay be disabled by default on children’s accounts, and impose civil penalties. The Attorney General emphasized a commitment to prevent Netflix from operating what he describes as an illegal surveillance scheme aimed at profiting from Texans’ personal information.