Texas AG investigating social media companies over minors' privacy

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating several social media companies over their privacy and safety practices related to minors, his office announced Thursday.

His office said those investigations are being conducted pursuant to the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act and the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act.

Companies under scrutiny include Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram and Discord, among others, the release confirmed.

Under Texas' SCOPE Act, companies aren't allowed to share, disclose or sell any personally identifying information related to minors without explicit permission from the child's parent or legal guardian. The SCOPE Act also includes regulations and legal protections for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence products.

“Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas’s strong data privacy laws. These investigations are a critical step toward ensuring that social media and AI companies comply with our laws designed to protect children from exploitation and harm,” Paxton said in the release.