- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, accusing the streaming service of “spying on Texans, including children, and collecting users’ data without their knowledge or consent,” thereby violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- The lawsuit, filed on 11 May, alleges that Netflix reneged on its previous promise not to introduce advertising, having done so in 2022, and that it built 'surveillance machinery' despite selling subscriptions as an escape from such tracking.
- Furthermore, the legal filing claims Netflix shares collected user data with advertisers and commercial data brokers like Experian and Acxiom, and intentionally designs its platform, including the 'autoplay' function, to be addictive for users, including children.
- In response, a Netflix spokesperson stated that the lawsuit 'lacks merit and is based on inaccurate and distorted information,' asserting that the company takes members' privacy seriously, complies with all relevant laws, and has industry-leading parental controls and transparent privacy practices.
- The legal action comes as Republican Ken Paxton is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat, and follows the recent announcement of Reed Hastings stepping down as Netflix chairman amid a challenging period for the company marked by slowing sales and increased competition.
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