Ken Paxton sues Netflix over Texas data collection allegations

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging that the streaming company is illegally collecting user data from Texans and using app features to encourage binge-watching. The lawsuit, filed in Collin County, claims that Netflix tracks users' viewing habits, devices, and engagement on the platform, and shares this information with advertisers and data brokers. The lawsuit also targets Netflix's autoplay feature, which Paxton says is designed to keep users, including children, watching longer. The feature is on by default for all profiles, including kids' profiles. The lawsuit was filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), the state's primary consumer protection law. Consumers who prevail under the law may recover economic damages and attorney fees, and potentially triple damages if misconduct is found to be intentional. Netflix has not publicly responded to the lawsuit as of May 11.