Texas Leads Nation in Protecting Americans' Data Privacy and Security

Strategic Insights -

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken strong action against Big Tech, foreign entities, and other bad actors who sought to illegally use Texans' private and sensitive data. Over the past year, Paxton's Privacy and Tech Team has conducted investigations into the data practices of more than 200 companies, resulting in historic, record-setting settlements and enforcing state laws against social media companies for failing to protect children online.

Key Takeaways:

  • Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Privacy and Tech Team has conducted investigations into the data practices of more than 200 companies, including data brokers, car manufacturers, social media companies, and Chinese companies.
  • Paxton has achieved unprecedented results, including being the first in the nation to file suit under a comprehensive state data privacy law, and achieving a record-setting $1.4 billion settlement with Meta for unlawfully capturing and using the biometric data of millions of Texans.
  • The Texas Attorney General's Office has filed suit against Google for $1.375 billion to resolve Google's unlawful collection of Texans' sensitive data, including their geolocation and biometric data.
  • Paxton's office has become the first state to sue General Motors for allegedly selling driving data to car insurers, reached a first-of-its-kind generative AI settlement, and filed suit against TikTok for allegedly failing to protect children online.
  • The Texas Attorney General's Office has launched investigations into Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram, Discord, and other companies regarding their data privacy and safety practices for children.
  • Paxton's office has protected Texans from a Chinese artificial intelligence company that was violating Texas privacy law, issued dozens of privacy violation notices to companies violating the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, and taken aggressive action against noncompliant data brokers.
  • The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees the enforcement of multiple privacy and technology-related laws of the State of Texas.

Sources:

  • Texas Attorney General's Office, https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-leads-nation-protecting-americans-data-privacy-and-security-big-tech

Statistics:

  • $1.4 billion: The record-setting settlement with Meta for unlawfully capturing and using the biometric data of millions of Texans.
  • $1.375 billion: The settlement with Google for unlawfully collecting Texans' sensitive data, including their geolocation and biometric data.
  • 200 companies: The number of companies investigated by Attorney General Paxton's Privacy and Tech Team over the past year.
  • 2,000 complaints: The number of complaints received over the past year through the new portal for consumers to submit privacy complaints.