Big Tech finds a foe in Texas’ robust consumer protection laws and AG Ken Paxton

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against Netflix, WhatsApp, and Discord in late 2025 as part of his campaign for the U.S. Senate. The moves align with his long-standing push to hold Big Tech accountable, including prior lawsuits against Meta and Google. Paxton’s office secured a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta in 2024—the largest ever from a single state—to stop unauthorized biometric data collection, and another $1.4 billion settlement with Google in October 2025 for illegal data tracking. Paxton’s legal strategy relies on Texas’ strong consumer protection laws, including the Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act and the Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act. His office argues that companies misled users about data practices, exploiting loopholes in federal regulations. A 2024 division within his office now focuses exclusively on enforcing privacy laws against tech firms, leveraging Texas’ strict legal framework. Legal experts credit Paxton’s success to Texas’ favorable legal environment, particularly the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has supported his cases. The settlements fund Texas’ State Treasury, generating significant revenue while pressuring other states to adopt similar measures. Paxton’s aggressive stance has positioned him as a leader in state-level regulation of Big Tech, a key issue in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico. Republicans nationwide are adopting Paxton’s approach, framing Big Tech as a threat to consumer rights. His victories have emboldened critics like Sen. Bernie Sanders, who share concerns about tech monopolies. With Texas’ laws setting a precedent, other states may follow suit, reshaping how tech companies operate under state oversight. Paxton’s legal team has filed over two dozen lawsuits against major tech firms in the past five years, making him one of the most active state attorneys general in this space. His enforcement efforts extend beyond settlements, using lawsuits to expose alleged deceptive practices and push for stricter compliance with existing statutes. The trend signals a shift in how state governments challenge Big Tech’s dominance in data privacy and consumer protection.