Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier files civil enforcement action against Roku for alleged violations of children’s privacy rights

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this week that his Office of Parental Rights has filed a civil enforcement action against Roku, Inc. and its Florida subsidiary, alleging violations of the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBOR) and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). The action comes amid growing concerns over the collection and use of children’s personal information by technology companies.

“Florida families deserve to know what is happening with their children’s personal information,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “Parents—not technology companies—direct the upbringing of their children. We will hold any company that conceals or exploits that information accountable.”

Roku, a leading platform for streaming video content, functions like a smartphone for televisions, providing users access to a wide array of apps including movies, TV shows, live news, and sports. As of 2024, Roku reaches approximately 145 million people across the United States, making it the market leader in streaming video distribution.

Read also: City of Pembroke Pines invites residents to attend Florida Talks lecture on Seminole portraits and history this November

The complaint alleges that Roku collected, sold, and enabled reidentification of sensitive personal data, including viewing habits, voice recordings, and other information from children, without obtaining proper consent or providing meaningful notice to families in Florida. According to the State, Roku misrepresented the effectiveness of its privacy controls and opt-out tools, further exposing children’s private information to unauthorized use.

Under the Florida Digital Bill of Rights, companies are required to obtain clear and verifiable consent before selling or using a child’s sensitive information and must provide honest and transparent disclosures about how such data is collected and shared. The Attorney General contends that Roku failed to meet these standards, undermining parental authority and violating the trust of Florida families.

Through this enforcement action, the Attorney General’s Office is seeking civil penalties, injunctive relief, and measures to ensure that Roku implements lawful parental-control mechanisms, provides transparent disclosures about its data practices, and ceases any unauthorized collection or sale of children’s information. The action is intended to reinforce Florida’s commitment to empowering parents, protecting children, and holding digital companies accountable for privacy violations.

“This case is part of Florida’s ongoing effort to ensure that parents maintain control over their children’s digital lives,” a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office said. “We will continue to scrutinize the digital marketplace to make certain that companies do not exploit sensitive information under the guise of convenience or entertainment.”

The civil enforcement action has been filed in Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit, and the complaint details the State’s allegations against Roku and its Florida subsidiary. The case underscores the growing importance of digital privacy protections for minors and the increasing scrutiny technology companies face in adhering to state and federal laws designed to safeguard children’s personal information.

As the digital economy expands and children spend more time interacting with technology, Florida officials emphasize the need for transparency, consent, and accountability. This enforcement action against Roku signals that companies operating in the digital space must respect the rights of parents and children or face legal consequences.

Read also: City of Pompano Beach invites teens and adults with disabilities to join the Monster Mash Dance at Emma Lou Olson Civic Center

Florida families, privacy advocates, and industry observers are watching closely as this case unfolds, seeing it as a potential landmark moment in the regulation of children’s data and a reminder of the ongoing responsibility technology companies have to protect the most vulnerable users.

The full complaint filed in Florida’s 20th Judicial Circuit is available to the public and outlines the detailed allegations against Roku.