Google has agreed to a $30 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of improperly collecting data from children on YouTube. The case, highlighted in recent court filings, centers on alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which forbids companies from gathering personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
The lawsuit claimed YouTube monitored the viewing habits of young users to target ads—a practice common in the digital advertising world but illegal when applied to minors. While Google has reached a settlement, the company maintains it did nothing wrong.
Who Could Receive Compensation?
The settlement could affect up to 45 million Americans. Individuals who used YouTube while under the age of 13 between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, may be eligible to file claims once the process begins. The size of each payout will depend on how many claims are submitted.
Google’s Ongoing Legal Challenges
This isn’t Google’s first run-in over children’s online privacy. In 2019, Google and YouTube paid a record $170 million to resolve similar claims with U.S. regulators. The latest case highlights persistent concerns about how tech companies handle sensitive user data, especially as lawmakers push for tighter protections for minors online.
Looking Ahead
Eligible users will be able to submit claims once the court finalizes the settlement procedures. Beyond the immediate payouts, the case reinforces the ongoing debate over child safety on digital platforms, and the pressure on Big Tech to operate with greater transparency and accountability.
