LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A TikTok user has filed a class action over its alleged collection and storage of user data.
Michael Moody, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated filed a complaint Feb. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against TikTok, Inc., frequently known as Musically Inc., and ByteDance Inc., alleging violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act and other claims.
Moody, according to his class action, created a TikTok account in May 2022 by downloading the TikTok app. He claims he was unaware that TikTok was recording, collecting and storing his data through its In-App Browser.
Moody alleges that TikTok's In-App Browser surpasses a user's default browser when an internet hyperlink is clicked on and that users have no knowledge of TikTok's capture of their user data. He further alleges that since hyperlinks can be attached to images or videos, TikTok users do not realize they are following a hyperlink to an external site and that they are utilizing a browser.
Moody claims TikTok captures user data, including the users' interactions with a site and what links they clicked on, to exploit and profit from the data by using a Java-Script code. He also claims he did not give TikTok permission to collect and share his data and that TikTok's actions violate. privacy and fraud laws.
Moody and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Stephen Basser and Samuel Ward of Barrack Rodos & Bacine and John Emerson of The Emerson Firm PLLC in Houston.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:23-CV-01075-MEMF-AGR