Ken Paxton has sued Netflix , accusing the streaming company of secretly collecting consumer data without consent and designing platform features intended to encourage addictive viewing habits. The lawsuit, filed in state court in Collin County near Dallas, alleges Netflix violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misleading users about the amount and type of data it collected from subscribers. According to the complaint, the company allegedly tracked viewing habits, searches, engagement patterns and other behavioral information, then shared portions of that data with advertising tec

Ken Paxton has sued Netflix, accusing the streaming company of secretly collecting consumer data without consent and designing platform features intended to encourage addictive viewing habits.

The lawsuit, filed in state court in Collin County near Dallas, alleges Netflix violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by misleading users about the amount and type of data it collected from subscribers. According to the complaint, the company allegedly tracked viewing habits, searches, engagement patterns and other behavioral information, then shared portions of that data with advertising technology firms and data brokers.

Texas prosecutors also argued that Netflix intentionally designed parts of its platform, including autoplay and personalized recommendation systems, to maximize screen time and encourage compulsive viewing, particularly among children and teenagers.

The complaint cites a 2020 statement from former Netflix CEO Reed Hastings saying, “we don’t collect anything.” Paxton’s office argues the company’s internal data practices contradicted that public claim.

The attorney general’s office is seeking financial penalties and court orders that could force Netflix to change how it handles user data and platform design. Proposed measures include stricter consent requirements, clearer privacy disclosures and restrictions on autoplay functions for children’s accounts. Early reports did not specify the amount of penalties being sought.

The attorney general's office is seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Netflix did not respond to requests for comment following reports of the lawsuit.

The case adds to growing scrutiny surrounding major technology and streaming companies over digital privacy, consumer data collection and the psychological effects of algorithm-driven engagement tools on younger audiences. The lawsuit is being closely watched as a potential test of how far state consumer protection laws can reach into the design and operation of streaming platforms.

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