Google LLC announces that its video-sharing website, YouTube, will limit data collection on kids YouTube videos. This will affect users who view children's programming on its main site and different YouTube kids channels. This is already implemented on its kids-specific site, YouTube Kids.
What prompted Google to update its policy its case with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and New York state. Google was fined $170 million combined for allegations that it acquired children's personal information without their parents' consent.
FTC states that YouTube violated a law that requires companies to ask for parental consent before collecting personal information from young users.
Google will pay $34 million to the state of New York to settle similar allegations raised by the state's attorney general.
With Google’s policy change, children's programming content on YouTube's main site will refrain from offering features like comments and notifications and won't display personalized ads. The policy states that those sharing the clip will have to determine children's programming as such. The service will employ artificial intelligence to pin down content that aims to attract children.
In addition, Google confirms that the policy update will take effect in four months to allow family and kid creators to make adjustments. The multinational tech company also revealed that a new marketing campaign will be held to promote YouTube Kids.
Not enough to protect children
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy, the child advocacy groups that fueled the government to investigate on the accusation against YouTube, are not satisfied with the settlement.
While they believe that the outcome of the settlement can lessen the amount of behavioral advertising targeting children on YouTube, they do not find it enough.
The groups argue that Google’s policy change only transfers the burden from YouTube to those who create content on the platform.
According to YouTube, their platform is designed for ages 13 and older. However, younger kids watch videos on the site and YouTube channels with cartoons and sing-a-longs.
