Child protection groups claim YouTube illegally collects data on users under 13 years old

Anca Alexe 10/04/2018 | 10:15

A coalition of 23 child advocacy, consumer and privacy groups have filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission, claiming that Google, through YouTube, is violating child protection laws by collecting personal data and using it to advertise to children under 13, according to the Guardian.

The organisations allege that Google knows that YouTube is used by children younger than 13 and that it collects data such as location, device identifiers and phone numbers and tracks these users across websites and services without the parental consent required by the US Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (Coppa).

Josh Golin, the executive director of one of the groups, says that “for years, Google has abdicated its responsibility to kids and families by disingenuously claiming YouTube – a site rife with popular cartoons, nursery rhymes and toy ads – is not for children under 13. Google profits immensely by delivering ads to kids and must comply with Coppa. It’s time for the FTC to hold Google accountable.”

In 2015, Google released a dedicated app for children, called YouTube Kids, and it has taken action to hire moderators who review content on YouTube after widespread criticism of allowing violent and offensive content. However, child protection groups say that it has  not done enough and has “acted duplicitously” by saying that YouTube is only for those aged 13 or older.

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