Texas Attorney General Launches Probe into Tech Platforms

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Thursday that his office has initiated investigations into over a dozen technology platforms regarding their privacy and safety practices for minors. The platforms under scrutiny include artificial intelligence chatbot startup Character.AI, as well as well-known platforms like Reddit, Instagram, and Discord.

Why This Matters

The impact of tech platforms on children has come under increasing scrutiny. A Harvard study estimated that top U.S. social media platforms earned approximately $11 billion in advertising revenue from users under 18 in 2022. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned last year that young people using social media are at risk of body image issues, disordered eating, poor sleep quality, and low self-esteem, particularly among adolescent girls.

Key Takeaway

"Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas' strong data privacy laws," Paxton stated.

Context and Compliance

Social media companies have pledged to work with officials to safeguard young users and have introduced new tools to protect teens online, including parental control features. The investigations will focus on the platforms' compliance with two Texas laws: the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The SCOPE Act prohibits the sharing of minors' personal information without parental consent, while the TDPSA imposes notice and consent requirements on companies collecting minors' personal data.