Judge signals he will block TikTok's bid to end FTC consent decree
A Los Angeles federal judge indicated he will reject TikTok and ByteDance's request to terminate the FTC's 2019 consent decree, jeopardizing part of a $400 million settlement.
TikTok and ByteDance reached a $400 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over alleged violations of children’s online privacy laws. The deal required an immediate $300 million payment and promised a further $100 million if a court lifted the Federal Trade Commission’s 2019 consent decree that was imposed on Musical.ly, TikTok’s predecessor. On Friday, U.S. District Judge George H. Wu in Los Angeles signaled he will likely reject the request to end the decree and scheduled a hearing for Monday.
He noted the court cannot yet determine whether ending the decree would provide a durable remedy or be appropriately tailored to any changed circumstances. The consent decree mandates TikTok to maintain specific reporting and record-keeping obligations until 2029. The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in 2024, accused the platform of collecting personal data from users under 13 without parental consent. TikTok and the Justice Department did not immediately comment on the development.
Why it matters
The decision could prevent TikTok from receiving the full settlement, keeping strict privacy oversight in place.
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