AppLovin sued for delivering explicit ads to children despite parental safeguards
San Diego County filed a lawsuit accusing AppLovin of showing sexually explicit and violent ads to kids in games rated for all ages, bypassing parental controls.
In a California state court filing, San Diego County alleges that AppLovin, a major digital-advertising platform, has been inserting sexually explicit, violent and substance-related ads into mobile games rated “E for everyone,” effectively sidestepping parental safeguards. The complaint cites screenshots of scantily-clad cartoon characters, bondage scenes and promotions for alcohol, vaping and cannabis gummies. County officials say the company also harvested extensive fingerprinting data that can pinpoint a child’s residence, school and sleep patterns, violating the state’s False Advertising and Unfair Competition statutes.
The lawsuit requests an injunction, unspecified restitution and civil penalties. AppLovin’s internal policy states it does not knowingly collect children’s data or serve them ads, and the firm has not commented on the filing. The case joins earlier scrutiny of AppLovin’s data practices, including investigations by short-seller firms and a prior SEC review that ended without enforcement. The county’s Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Unit, newly launched, also targets other firms such as Roblox and Polymarket.
Why it matters
It highlights how children’s privacy and safety can be compromised by online advertising practices.
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