Google pays $30M to settle lawsuit over children’s YouTube data

In a significant move, Google has agreed to pay $30 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of infringing on children's privacy rights through its YouTube platform. According to reports from Reuters, the lawsuit centers around allegations that Google improperly collected data from young users viewing YouTube videos. This practice of data collection, while prevalent, is strictly prohibited under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which protects individuals under the age of 13. Despite agreeing to the settlement, Google maintains that it did not violate any laws. As a result of the settlement, it is estimated that up to 45 million individuals in the United States could qualify for minor compensation. This class action encompasses all U.S. residents who accessed YouTube while under the age of 13 during the period from July 1, 2013, to April 1, 2020.