FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 21, 2026
Contact: Josh Golin, Executive Director, [email protected], 339-970-4240
Statement on the DOJ’s $400 million settlement with TikTok & ByteDance
Today, the Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok and ByteDance. Since 2019, TikTok (then called Musical.ly) has been operating under a consent decree for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. In 2024, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against TikTok for violating that order. Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $400 million and the 2019 order will be vacated, meaning TikTok will operate with no obligations to protect children besides following existing law.
Below is a statement that can be attributed to Fairplay’s Policy Counsel, Haley Hinkle:
“Today’s announced settlement is a huge disappointment to American families who believe Big Tech companies that put children at risk by flouting the law should face real accountability and consequences. As every 6th grader knows, TikTok continues to profit off under-13 users every day. Yet the DOJ has essentially let TikTok off the hook with a fine that’s a drop in the bucket compared to its $33 billion annual revenue.
“While previous COPPA settlements, such as the FTC’s 2022 settlement with Fortnite, have required significant changes to make platforms safer for minors, today’s agreement places TikTok under no new obligations. Even worse, it relieves TikTok of its compliance and monitoring obligations under the 2019 consent decree.
“We urge everyone who cares about children’s privacy and safety online to object to this sweetheart deal for TikTok.”
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About Fairplay
Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at www.fairplayforkids.org.