INFORMATION, WE WILL UPDATE YOU. >> WERE YOU WATCHING US ON ROKU RIGHT NOW? IF YOU ARE, THERE’S A CHANCE YOUR ROAD CREWS KEEPING TRACK OF WHEN AND HOW LONG YOUR TV IS ON THE STATE OF FLORIDA JUST FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST ROKU FOR TRACKING YOUR CHILDREN. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER DAVE ELIAS SHOWS US HOW THEY’RE DOING IT. WELL, ROKU LETS PEOPLE WATCH SHOWS AND MOVIES ON THEIR TELEVISION. >> BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU YOUR ROKU WAS SPYING ON YOU? WELL, THAT’S WHAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS ALLEGING IN THIS LAWSUIT. IT SAYS THAT ROKU IS SPYING ON WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE WATCHING WITHOUT ASKING THEIR PARENTS WHILE WATCHING WHAT I WANT TO WATCH. LIKE, I UNDERSTAND, I DON’T GET IT. >> THAT REACTION AFTER FLORIDA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES UTHMEIER ANNOUNCED WE BELIEVE THAT ROKU HAS TAKEN USED, SHARED AND SOLD THE PERSONAL SENSITIVE DATA OF OUR CONSUMERS, NAMELY. >> OUR KIDS. THAT WILL BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. NOT GOING TO LIE. SO MAJOR THAT FLORIDA FILED THIS. 25 PAGE LAWSUIT IN COLLIER COUNTY AGAINST ROKU. BIG TECH COMPANIES CANNOT. >> USE OR SELL THE DATA OF CHILDREN UNLESS THEY FIRST PUT PARENTS ON NOTICE AND GET THEIR EXPRESS CONSENT. >> DOES THAT CONCERN YOU AT ALL? NOT REALLY. I MEAN, IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, IT’S KIND OF LIKE HELPFUL. YOU KNOW, IT GIVES YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE. NOT WHAT YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE. >> AND THE LAWSUIT WANTS THE SPYING TO FOR THE STATE HAS BROKE. WHO IS VIOLATING THE STATE’S DIGITAL BILL OF RIGHTS? MOST WEBSITES HAVE THINGS LIKE CALLED COOKIES THAT MONITOR YOU. I’D SAY IT’S VERY NORMAL, NORMAL DOESN’T MEAN IT’S RIGHT. THE PLAN TO THE LAWSUIT AGAINST ROKU IS TO REMIND BIG TECH THAT PARENTS
Florida files lawsuit against Roku for tracking children’s viewing habits
Updated: 6:18 PM EDT Oct 15, 2025
Florida has filed a 25-page lawsuit in Collier County against Roku, claiming the company is tracking children’s viewing habits without parental consent, which the state argues violates Florida’s Digital Bill of Rights.Morgan Cole from Fort Myers expressed confusion and concern, saying, “Why are you watching what I want to watch? Like, I don’t understand. I don’t get it.”This reaction followed the announcement by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said, “We believe Roku has taken, used and sold the personal sensitive data of our consumers, mainly our kids.”Cole further commented, “That would be a major problem, not going to lie.”Uthmeier emphasized, “Big tech companies can not use or sell the data of children unless they first put parents on notice and get their consent.”Jacob Colon from Fort Myers shared a different perspective, stating, “Does that concern you at all? Not really. If you really think about it, it’s really helpful. You can see what you want to see, not what you don’t want to see.”The lawsuit seeks to halt the alleged spying activities. James Hale from Fort Myers noted, “Most websites have things like cookies that monitor you, so I’d say it’s very normal and normal doesn’t mean it’s right.”The point of the lawsuit is to remind big tech companies that parents still call the shots.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Florida has filed a 25-page lawsuit in Collier County against Roku, claiming the company is tracking children’s viewing habits without parental consent, which the state argues violates Florida’s Digital Bill of Rights.
Morgan Cole from Fort Myers expressed confusion and concern, saying, “Why are you watching what I want to watch? Like, I don’t understand. I don’t get it.”
This reaction followed the announcement by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said, “We believe Roku has taken, used and sold the personal sensitive data of our consumers, mainly our kids.”
Cole further commented, “That would be a major problem, not going to lie.”
Uthmeier emphasized, “Big tech companies can not use or sell the data of children unless they first put parents on notice and get their consent.”
Jacob Colon from Fort Myers shared a different perspective, stating, “Does that concern you at all? Not really. If you really think about it, it’s really helpful. You can see what you want to see, not what you don’t want to see.”
The lawsuit seeks to halt the alleged spying activities. James Hale from Fort Myers noted, “Most websites have things like cookies that monitor you, so I’d say it’s very normal and normal doesn’t mean it’s right.”
The point of the lawsuit is to remind big tech companies that parents still call the shots.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.