Netflix sued by Texas for allegedly spying on children, addicting users

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Netflix on Monday, alleging the streaming giant has deceptively collected and sold user data—including that of children—for years. The complaint cites former Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ 2020 statement, 'we don’t collect anything,' as evidence of false claims to consumers. Paxton argues Netflix tracked viewing habits and sold them to commercial data brokers and advertising firms, generating billions annually. The lawsuit also accuses Netflix of using manipulative design features, like autoplay, to keep users engaged—a tactic described as 'dark patterns.' Paxton claims the company’s goal was to 'get children and families glued to the screen' while monetizing their data. The complaint was filed in Collin County state court near Dallas. Texas alleges Netflix violated the Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misleading users about data collection. Paxton seeks an order for Netflix to purge illegally obtained data, stop targeted advertising without consent, and pay civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The attorney general, a Republican, is also running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent John Cornyn. Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit follows broader legal challenges against tech and social media companies over data privacy practices. Texas’ complaint highlights concerns about how digital platforms exploit user behavior for profit, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children.