TikTok / ByteDance Biometric Data & Minor Privacy Class Action Settlement
Case Overview
Filed in 2020 and consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois, this landmark class action alleged that TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance systematically collected biometric identifiers—including facial geometry and voiceprints—from user videos without obtaining the legally required informed written consent. Plaintiffs further alleged that TikTok transferred this sensitive data to servers in China, in violation of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and various state and federal privacy statutes.
TikTok agreed to a $92 million settlement in 2021, one of the largest BIPA settlements ever reached at the time. The settlement also required TikTok to implement substantial data governance reforms, including restricting the transfer of U.S. user data to China and enhancing parental controls for minor users. The case set a significant precedent for how social media platforms must handle biometric data collected through video content.
Who May Qualify
U.S. residents who used TikTok prior to September 30, 2021, particularly those located in Illinois, California, and other states with biometric privacy laws. Illinois residents were eligible for a larger share of the settlement fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did TikTok settle the biometric data lawsuit?
Yes. TikTok agreed to a $92 million settlement covering approximately 89 million U.S. users who had their biometric data collected without consent. The claims deadline has passed, but the settlement established important privacy reform requirements for the platform.
What data did TikTok allegedly collect illegally?
Plaintiffs alleged TikTok collected facial geometry (faceprints) and voiceprints from videos uploaded by users, as well as location data, device identifiers, and clipboard content—all without proper disclosure or consent, in violation of Illinois BIPA and federal law.