Google has agreed to pay $30 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of illegally collecting data from children under 13 who used YouTube. The settlement details were revealed in recent court filings, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit claimed that Google violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This U.S. federal law prohibits companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent.
Plaintiffs argued that YouTube tracked the viewing habits of minors to power targeted advertising. While such practices are common across digital platforms, applying them to children is considered illegal.
Although agreeing to the settlement, Google has denied any wrongdoing.
Who Can Claim Compensation?
The settlement could impact nearly 45 million U.S. residents. Anyone who watched YouTube while under the age of 13 between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, may qualify for compensation.
The exact payout amount has not yet been determined. It will depend on how many claims are filed once the process begins.
Google’s History with Child Data Issues
This is not the first time Google has faced scrutiny over children’s data. In 2019, the company and its subsidiary YouTube paid a record $170 million fine to settle similar allegations with federal regulators. That case also centered on claims that children’s personal information was collected without proper consent.
What Happens Next?
The settlement must still receive court approval before claims open. Once approved, eligible users will be able to apply for compensation.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about how technology companies manage sensitive information. Lawmakers and regulators continue to call for stricter rules to safeguard child privacy online. Parents, too, are increasingly demanding more transparency from platforms like YouTube.
This lawsuit and its outcome serve as another reminder that Google and other tech giants remain under pressure to improve protections for young users in the digital age.
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