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Attorney General Dana Nessel accuses Roku of illegally collecting children’s personal data; Roku disputes allegations, citing privacy protections.
Michigan Attorney General Sues Roku Over Alleged Data Privacy Violations
LANSING, Michigan — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a federal lawsuit against Roku, Inc., accusing the streaming platform of violating federal and state laws protecting children’s privacy. The case, titled ‘Michigan Sues Roku’, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, alleging that Roku collected children’s personal data and allowed third-party advertisers to do the same, without proper parental consent.
This lawsuit, where Michigan sues Roku, emphasizes the necessity for stricter regulations on data collection practices of streaming platforms.
The lawsuit cites violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, which restrict how digital platforms may collect, store, and share personal data belonging to children under 13.
As Michigan sues Roku, the state seeks to ensure that companies adhere to laws protecting children’s information.
Roku Pushes Back Against Allegations in Public Statement
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Roku issued a firm response from its San Jose, California headquarters. The company stated that it “strongly disagrees with the allegations” and that the claims “do not reflect how our services work or our efforts to protect viewer privacy.”
“We plan to challenge these inaccurate claims and look forward to demonstrating our commitment to trust and compliance,” Roku said. The company emphasized that it does not use or sell children’s personal data, nor does it partner with data brokers or trackers to violate privacy laws.
Roku added, “We take the responsibility of creating a safe and trusted online environment seriously. Our viewers rely on Roku for engaging content, and we take pride in connecting our viewers to the streaming content they love every day.”
AG Nessel Alleges Illegal Collection and Sharing of Children’s Data
According to Nessel’s complaint, Roku collects sensitive data such as voice recordings, IP addresses, and browsing histories from young users and shares it with third parties. The AG’s office contends that Roku’s lack of child-specific profiles subjects children to the same tracking practices as adults.
“Roku has blatantly violated children’s privacy laws, illegally exposing kids across Michigan to invasive data collection practices,” said Nessel. “We cannot allow companies to jeopardize the security of our children’s personal information.”
The state seeks to stop the data collection, enforce compliance with existing privacy laws, and recover damages and penalties tied to what it calls “years of misconduct.”
Millions of Michigan Households Could Be Affected
Roku is present in nearly half of U.S. households, including millions in Michigan, and offers access to streaming services, live TV, and ad-supported content. Unlike its competitors, Roku does not currently offer parental controls to segment child usage, the lawsuit states.
Battle Over Children’s Data Reflects National Trend in Enforcement
The case against Roku is part of a broader movement by state attorneys general to step in where federal regulation has been slow. Platforms like TikTok and Meta have also faced legal scrutiny for allegedly violating children’s data protections.
With increased bipartisan concern about online safety and data privacy, companies like Roku may face heightened pressure to revise their data practices, regardless of the outcome of this particular case.
Sources:
- Michigan Attorney General’s Office Press Release, April 29, 2025
- Roku Inc. Public Statement, April 29, 2025
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Filing
- Stanford University Center for Internet and Society, Interview with Dr. Jennifer King, 2024
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