Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody filed suit against Netflix, alleging the streaming platform collected personal data from minors without proper parental consent in violation of state consumer protection laws. The complaint targets Netflix's data harvesting practices and claims the company engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices under Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA).
Moody's office argues Netflix systematically gathered information from users under 18, including browsing history, device identifiers, and viewing habits, without obtaining verifiable parental permission as required by federal and state law. The lawsuit contends Netflix monetized this data through targeted advertising and third-party data sales, profiting from children's digital footprints without proper safeguards.
This action positions Netflix alongside other technology giants facing Florida regulatory scrutiny. Moody has pursued similar enforcement actions against major social media and tech companies, framing her office as a defender against corporate overreach targeting vulnerable populations.
The case implicates federal compliance obligations under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which restricts how companies collect data from users under 13 and requires parental notice and consent for certain practices. Florida's FDUTPA extends protections to minors under 18, creating an additional state-level enforcement mechanism.
Netflix could face civil penalties, injunctive relief restricting its data collection practices, and potential damages if the court finds violations. The company may also be required to implement enhanced age-verification systems and parental consent protocols before collecting personal information from younger users.
This lawsuit reflects broader regulatory momentum against Big Tech's data practices. State attorneys general increasingly view COPPA enforcement and FDUTPA violations as viable pathways to regulate tech platforms when federal oversight remains fragmented. The outcome could establish precedent for how streaming services and platforms must structure their consent mechanisms for minor users across multiple states.