Google Agrees to $30 Million Settlement in YouTube Children's Privacy Lawsuit
Google has reached a preliminary $30 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging violation of children's privacy on YouTube. The case involves collecting personal information of U.S. children under 13 without parental consent for targeted advertising between July 2013 and April 2020. If approved, 35-45 million class members could receive $30-$60 each. Google denies wrongdoing despite the settlement. This follows a previous $170 million fine paid to the FTC and New York Attorney General in 2019 for similar allegations.
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In a significant development concerning online privacy for children, Google has reached a preliminary agreement to pay $30.00 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that the tech giant violated children's privacy on its YouTube platform by collecting personal information without parental consent and using it for targeted advertising.
Settlement Details
The settlement, which is yet to receive final approval, covers United States children under the age of 13 who watched YouTube between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020. This potentially affects 35-45 million class members, highlighting the widespread impact of the case.
Allegations and Background
Parents of 34 children accused Google of violating state laws by allowing content providers to use cartoons and nursery rhymes to help collect personal data. This lawsuit followed Google's 2019 settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and New York Attorney General, which resulted in $170.00 million in fines.
Potential Payout
If the settlement is approved and 1-2% of class members submit claims, individual payouts could range from $30.00 to $60.00 before legal fees. The lawyers involved in the case are seeking up to $9.00 million from the settlement amount.
Google's Stance
Despite agreeing to the settlement, Google has denied any wrongdoing in the matter. This stance is common in such settlements, where companies often choose to resolve cases without admitting liability.
Implications for Online Privacy
This settlement underscores the ongoing concerns about children's privacy in the digital age. It highlights the need for stricter enforcement of privacy laws, especially when it comes to protecting minors online. The case also serves as a reminder for tech companies to be vigilant about their data collection and usage practices, particularly when their platforms are accessible to children.
What's Next
The settlement still requires final approval from the court. If approved, it will provide some compensation to affected families and potentially lead to improved privacy practices on YouTube and other online platforms popular among children.
This case serves as another chapter in the ongoing dialogue about digital privacy, the responsibilities of tech giants, and the protection of vulnerable internet users, especially children.
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