Texas accuses Netflix of spying on users, including children

"Every interaction on the platform became a data point revealing information about the user. The complaint alleges Netflix records and monetises billions of pieces of information about how users behave on the platform, despite suggesting otherwise. It claims the company’s design and data practices turn viewing activity into measurable behavioral signals, including patterns of engagement and attention, which are then used to influence and sustain continued use."

"When you watch Netflix, Netflix watches you. The complaint filed on Monday by Texas' top prosecutor says Netflix championed itself as unlike other big tech firms in how it processed data and advertised to users. It quotes the company's former boss Reed Hastings as having said in 2019 and 2020 that it did not and would not collect or monetise user data, such as to sell ads, while alleging the company’s actual practices differ."

"The filing says Netflix used a combination of “addictive” design features, like auto-playing content, and extensive “logging” of user activity to keep people on the site. Among billions of technical events it recorded were what users would click and linger on, and for how long. The complaint frames these mechanisms as tools for maintaining engagement by capturing detailed behavioral information."

"Netflix has rejected the claims and says it will challenge them in court, according to a statement shared with Reuters. “Respectfully to the great state of Texas and Attorney General Paxton, this lawsuit lacks merit and is based on inaccurate and distorted information,” a Netflix spokesperson told the news agency. “Netflix takes our members' privacy seriously and complies with privacy and data protection laws everywhere we operate.”"

A lawsuit filed in Texas accuses Netflix of collecting data about children and adults without consent and using addictive design features to keep users engaged. The Texas Attorney General alleges Netflix “spies” on citizens by recording and monetising billions of data points about user behavior on the platform. The complaint claims Netflix advertised itself as different from other big tech companies by not collecting or monetising user data for advertising, citing prior statements from Reed Hastings. The filing alleges Netflix uses autoplay and extensive logging of user activity, including what users click and how long they linger. It also alleges that in 2022 Netflix began leveraging data extracted from children and families to maintain fixation on screens. Netflix denies the claims and says it will challenge them in court, stating it complies with privacy and data protection laws.

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