Texas Sues Netflix, Alleging Deceptive Data Tracking

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Netflix on Monday, May 11, 2026, alleging the streaming company illegally tracked and profited from user data, including data tied to children, without adequate disclosure or consent. The lawsuit claims Netflix marketed itself as a privacy-protective alternative to other large platforms while engaging in similar data-collection practices. The case was filed under Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

According to the complaint, Netflix tracks and logs customers’ viewing habits, location, and a wide range of in-app interactions, including keyword searches and playback controls such as pausing and fast-forwarding. Texas alleges that the information is used to build consumer profiles that generate billions of dollars in revenue. The suit also argues that paid subscriptions do not insulate users from data-driven advertising practices.

The filing cites past statements attributed to former Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings that committed to avoiding the mining of user data for advertising and related business purposes. Texas argues those statements conflict with Netflix’s more recent move into advertising, which the complaint characterizes as a reversal after user data had already been collected.

Relief sought includes autoplay changes and data purging

Texas is asking the court to bar Netflix from continuing the alleged conduct and to order other remedies. The complaint specifically seeks to require the deactivation of autoplay on children’s profiles and to compel the purging of data collected from Texans, among other relief.

Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the source material.

Case follows broader push targeting children and “addictive” design

The lawsuit echoes arguments advanced in separate cases brought against other major platforms, where juries have found liability under state laws focused on misleading the public, endangering children, or negligently designing products to be addictive. The Texas filing alleges Netflix uses “addictive” design features, including autoplay, alongside the data practices described in the complaint.

The next steps will depend on how the court handles Texas’ request for injunctive relief and any response Netflix files challenging the state’s claims.