FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 11, 2026

Contact: Ashwin Verghese, Communications Director, [email protected], 508-263-0289

Statement on DOJ’s Reported Settlement with TikTok

Fairplay Policy Counsel Haley Hinkle released the following statement today:

“The reported settlement is a slap on the wrist that will not meaningfully change TikTok’s exploitation and harm of children.

“First, the fine is nothing more than pennies on the dollar. Given that the maximum penalty per COPPA violation is $53,000, the $400 million fine translates to fewer than 8,000 violations. But research has found that 68% of 11- and 12-year-olds have TikTok accounts, which suggests there were more than 5 million COPPA violations by TikTok from just that age group alone. TikTok’s actual COPPA liability may be upwards of $250 billion.

“Second, news reports about the settlement have not mentioned any meaningful injunctive relief. If that proves to be the case, it makes the settlement even weaker. The DOJ should have used the pressure of massive COPPA liability to extract meaningful changes to TikTok’s addictive and dangerous product design.

“Finally, any fines paid by TikTok should be used to strengthen FTC enforcement of laws to protect children from Big Tech. Fairplay first raised TikTok’s rampant COPPA violations to the Commission more than five years ago. A better-resourced FTC might have held TikTok accountable much quicker and more forcefully.”

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About Fairplay

Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at www.fairplayforkids.org.