Texas AG sues Netflix for secret data spying on viewers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he has sued Netflix for spying on Texans, including children, and for secretly collecting users’ data without their knowledge or consent. The suit alleges Netflix tracks and monetises detailed viewing behaviour while misleading users about its data practices, potentially reshaping how the service collects data, targets ads, and designs features for minors.

According to the complaint, Netflix ran a “surveillance program” that turns every click, pause and binge session into data sold to advertisers and data brokers, generating “billions of dollars” annually. Netflix denies the accusations, calling the lawsuit inaccurate and asserting compliance with privacy laws wherever it operates.

The complaint also cites a 2024 ruling by the Dutch Data Protection Authority and seeks changes including disabling autoplay by default on kid’s profiles and other injunctive relief and civil penalties, with potential implications for subscribers’ data collection and advertising experiences.