Florida AG sues Netflix over child data collection practices

The lawsuit references company investor calls where Netflix executives downplayed the move to advertising, suggesting a subscription model allowed them to avoid integrating user data. However, Uthmeier contended that Netflix transformed the data it collected into an "advertising machine" for massive profit.

The complaint also highlights Netflix's user interface, which encourages families to set up children's profiles with promises of kid-friendly content and parental controls. Despite not running targeted ads to minors, the lawsuit claims Netflix still gathers substantial behavioral data, including viewing habits and information on other devices, without clear disclosure.

Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that features like default autoplay contribute to binge-watching, potentially creating addictive behavior in children and undermining parental controls. Uthmeier expressed a desire to prevent companies from creating addictive features for children or profiting from their data without explicit parental permission.

Uthmeier, who has served as Florida's attorney general since February 2025, stated that his office initiated the investigation after receiving complaints from parents.