Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Netflix, accusing the streaming giant of illegally collecting and profiting from user data, including from minors. The suit alleges Netflix earns billions annually by selling personal information to advertisers without consent. It also claims the platform manipulates viewers through features like autoplay, which allegedly traps children on the service longer.

The lawsuit demands autoplay be disabled by default and calls for an end to Netflix’s alleged data harvesting. Paxton’s office asserts the company operates a “surveillance program” violating privacy laws, particularly for Texans. Netflix has not publicly responded to the claims, but the case could set a precedent for how streaming services handle user data.

Paxton’s office highlighted Netflix’s failure to disable data collection tools despite public assurances. The suit seeks penalties and structural changes to protect consumers, especially children. Legal experts note the case may influence how tech companies balance data monetization with transparency.

If successful, the lawsuit could force platforms to overhaul data practices, impacting consumer privacy and streaming industry regulations. The outcome may also affect how advertisers access user data, reshaping digital advertising models.