Something Terrifying Was Just Revealed About Youtube Data Collecting

By CNN. Kids love YouTube. The service is packed with ostensibly kid-friendly content.
But child, consumer, and privacy advocacy groups are claiming YouTube illegally collects data about under-age viewers. They want YouTube to change how it handles content for children and pay a fine up to “tens of billions” of dollars for allegedly profiting off young viewers.

In a complaint filed Monday, more than 20 advocacy groups asked the FTC to investigate the Google subsidiary for violating the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which limits how a company can collect data about kids under 13. Under the law, companies have to notify parents and get their consent before collecting data on children.

“Google has made substantial profits from the collection and use of personal data from children on YouTube. Its illegal collection has been going on for many years and involves tens of millions of US children,” reads the complaint, which was led by the Center for Digital Democracy and Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. (Read more from “Something Terrifying Was Just Revealed About Youtube Data Collecting” HERE)

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YouTube Should Be Fined Billions for Illegally Collecting Children’s Data, Privacy Groups Claim

By CNBC. The coalition is calling for Google to change how it manages content for younger audiences and wants YouTube to pay a fine worth billions of dollars for allegedly profiting off children’s viewing habits.

The group says Google harvests personal information on children under 13, including information such as phone numbers and location before then tracking their activity across a number of websites and targeting ads without first gaining parental consent — a legal requirement according to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) . . .

YouTube defines its main site as a platform for viewers aged 13 years or older, while directing younger children to its YouTube Kids app — which contains a filtered set of videos to show appropriate content and ads.

The distinction between YouTube’s main site and its stand-alone app for young children is especially relevant because of the laws in place concerning disclosure and parental consent. The coalition argues that the Alphabet-owned site had “actual knowledge” they are trafficking personal information of children under 13 and, as a result, are breaching COPPA laws. (Read more from “YouTube Should Be Fined Billions for Illegally Collecting Children’s Data, Privacy Groups Claim” HERE)

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