Parents File Class Action Claiming Roku Shared Kids’ Private Information

Case Overview: A proposed class action claims Roku violated federal child privacy laws by collecting and sharing kids’ personal data from streaming devices and voice features.

Consumers Affected: Children under 13 who watched programming or used Roku’s voice features without parental consent.

Court: Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Bernardino

Streaming giant Roku illegally collects and shares children’s personal information without parental consent, a new lawsuit claims. 

The lawsuit claims Roku violated the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by tracking kids’ video viewing habits, location data, IP addresses, and even voice recordings through its devices and streaming services.

As the leading TV content platform in the U.S., Roku reaches roughly 145 million people through its devices, smart TVs, and apps. The lawsuit argues that Roku used that reach to build a powerful data-driven business, one that also captures and monetizes information from its youngest users.

Parents Say Roku Failed To Get Consent Before Tracking Children’s Activity

The complaint was filed by California resident Lynette Gonzalez, on behalf of her two children, both under the age of 10. According to the filing, the children regularly use Roku-enabled devices to watch shows and movies on The Roku Channel’s “Kids and Family” section and other child-focused apps.

Each time they watched or searched for content, Roku allegedly collected and transmitted their personal data to outside advertising and analytics companies. The lawsuit says this included voice recordings from Roku’s “Use your voice” feature, which encourages children to use voice commands when browsing kids’ programming.

The plaintiffs say Roku never sought parental notice or consent before gathering or sharing this information, an explicit requirement under COPPA. Instead, they allege, Roku designed its platform to treat child and adult users the same, omitting parental controls and age-based safeguards so it could maximize ad revenue.

How Roku’s Platform Tracks Users

Unlike other streaming platforms that separate adult and child profiles, Roku allegedly allows children to access the same data-tracking systems as adults. 

The lawsuit says Roku’s platform contains embedded tracking technologies from major advertising and analytics companies such as Google, Facebook, and Innovid. These tools allegedly monitor what children watch, identify their devices, and share the data with third parties to deliver targeted advertising, even on kids’ programming.

According to the complaint, Roku’s own filings with federal regulators acknowledge that privacy and advertising restrictions around children’s content could “pose a threat” to its business model. The plaintiffs argue that by choosing not to build child-specific privacy protections, Roku prioritized profit over compliance and safety.

Roku Joins Tech Giants Facing Legal Action Over Data Collection Practices

Roku’s case joins a growing number of lawsuits targeting tech and media companies over children’s data. Earlier this year, parents sued education-tech firm Instructure, creator of the Canvas learning platform, alleging it built a multibillion-dollar business by secretly mining students’ personal data.

TikTok has also faced repeated legal challenges for alleged COPPA violations. After paying $5.7 million in a 2019 settlement, the platform continues to battle lawsuits claiming it still collects children’s personal information, including names, phone numbers, and geolocation data, without parental consent. 

State attorneys general have filed additional cases alleging TikTok exposes minors to privacy risks and harmful content.

Gonzalez seeks to represent all minors who watched child-directed content or used Roku’s voice functions during the relevant period. The lawsuit accuses Roku of violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, COPPA, and California’s Invasion of Privacy Act. 

The plaintiffs are asking for damages, legal fees, and an order requiring Roku to strengthen privacy protections for young users.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: E.A.R.R. & E.A.R., through their Guardian Lynette Gonzalez v. Roku, Inc.
• Case Number: 5:25-cv-02474
• Court: Superior Court of the State of California for the County of San Bernardino

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Eugene Y. Turin (McGuire Law, P.C.)

Do your children use Roku or The Roku Channel? How do you feel about tech companies collecting kids’ data? Share your views in the comments below.