Texas Attorney General Expands Tech Investigation to Include Rumble, WeChat, and More

Key Takeaways:

• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating 15 tech companies over minors’ data practices.
• Companies under scrutiny include Rumble, Quora, WeChat, and others.
• The investigation is triggered by a new Texas law aimed at increasing oversight of minors online.
• Potential penalties could reach hundreds of millions of dollars per company.
• The broad scope reflects growing concerns about children’s online safety.

Texas Launches Expansive Probe into Tech Firms’ Data Practices with Minors

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a sweeping investigation into 15 tech companies over their data collection and usage practices involving minors under the age of 18. This move underscores escalating concerns about children’s online safety and the extent to which social media and chat platforms handle young users’ personal information.

A Wide Net Cast Over Tech Companies

The companies under scrutiny include a diverse array of platforms such as Rumble, Quora, WeChat, Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram, and Discord. While Paxton announced the investigation in a press release last month, he initially named only four companies—Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram, and Discord. Additional companies were identified through a public records request and encompass Kick, Kik, Pinterest, Telegram, Twitch, Tumblr, WhatsApp, and Whisper.

Texas has demanded that these companies provide answers about their data collection and usage practices concerning minors by next week. The investigation aims to ensure compliance with a new state law designed to protect children online.

The Legal Foundation: A New Texas Law

The probe is triggered by the recently enacted Texas law known as SCOPE, which significantly increases oversight of minors’ use of social media and chat services. The legislation reflects growing societal and legislative concern over how tech companies handle the data of younger users. Under this law, companies found in violation could face penalties reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ken Paxton’s Ongoing Tech Crusade

Attorney General Paxton has a history of taking on major tech corporations. Over the past decade, he has leveraged his office’s resources to investigate giants like Google and Meta regarding content moderation and competitive practices. Notably, he “helped win settlements against Apple for allegedly misleading users and is suing TikTok for allegedly endangering children’s privacy.”

His consistent efforts highlight a persistent commitment to holding tech companies accountable, especially concerning consumer protection and antitrust issues.

Broadening the Scope of Concern

The inclusion of a variety of platforms, some of which are not typically associated with data privacy controversies, emphasizes the extensive reach of the new legislation. Companies like Rumble and Quora, often seen as unconventional targets in such probes, are now under the microscope.

Josh Golin, executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, which advocates for digital safety for kids, notes that “concerns aren’t always obvious.” He points to instances where platforms previously considered low-risk became focal points following unforeseen events. For example, Pinterest came under intense scrutiny after a British teen’s death, which was linked to exposure to sensitive content on the platform.

Implications for the Tech Industry

The investigation signals a stringent era of enforcement that could compel tech companies to reevaluate their policies regarding minors. The potential financial repercussions serve as a stark warning of the seriousness with which Texas is approaching the issue.

Paxton’s office has not provided comments on how it selected the businesses under investigation. However, the breadth of companies involved underscores a proactive approach to tackling potential risks across the digital landscape.

Protecting the Digital Generation

As minors increasingly engage with online platforms, the responsibility of safeguarding their data and well-being becomes paramount. Texas’s aggressive stance may inspire similar actions in other jurisdictions, reflecting a broader shift toward ensuring that technology serves the best interests of its youngest users.