Florida Sues Netflix for Illegally Collecting Data from Minors
Florida Attorney General sues Netflix for unlawfully collecting minors' data.
Why it matters: This lawsuit highlights growing legal scrutiny on Big Tech’s privacy practices involving children, crucial for privacy and compliance professionals.
- Filed on September 9, 2026, by Florida AG James Uthmeier under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
- Netflix allegedly collected and sold minors' data without consent, violating the Florida Digital Bill of Rights.
- Claims Netflix misled consumers by promising no ads yet launched an ad-supported tier in November 2022 using kids' data.
- Lawsuit seeks permanent injunction, data purge, and civil penalties against Netflix.
On September 9, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Netflix alleging illegal data collection from minors. The suit accuses Netflix of collecting and selling sensitive personal data from children without parental consent, breaching the state’s Florida Digital Bill of Rights and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The complaint centers on Netflix’s ad-supported tier, launched in November 2022, which purportedly uses extensive data gathered from all users, including underage profiles, to serve targeted ads. This contradicts Netflix’s earlier promises of an ad-free and privacy-focused service for families.
Agent Uthmeier stated, "Netflix told Florida families they could pay a monthly fee to escape Big Tech surveillance. That was false." He also called for Netflix to "purge the harvested data, and the design tricks the company uses to hold kids captive."
The suit seeks a permanent injunction against the practice, an order to delete improperly collected data, and monetary penalties. This move follows a similar lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in May 2026 accusing Netflix of secretly monetizing user data, including that of children.
Florida’s case marks a significant development in regulatory enforcement focused on protecting minors' privacy on digital platforms. It underscores the responsibility of tech companies to honor data privacy commitments and comply with state consumer protection laws.
By the numbers:
- November 2022 — Netflix introduced its ad-supported tier.
- September 9, 2026 — Florida AG filed the lawsuit.
- $324 billion — Netflix's approximate market capitalization as of September 10, 2026.
What's next: The lawsuit may prompt other states to take similar legal actions against Netflix and other Big Tech companies regarding children’s data privacy.