Google has agreed to pay $30 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused the company of illegally collecting data from children under 13 who used YouTube, according to court filings reported by Reuters.
The lawsuit alleged that Google violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law that prohibits companies from collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent.
Plaintiffs claimed YouTube tracked the viewing habits of young users to fuel targeted advertising — a practice widely used across digital platforms but deemed illegal when applied to minors.
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Although Google has agreed to settle, the tech giant denies any wrongdoing.
Who is eligible for compensation?
The settlement could impact as many as 45 million U.S. residents. Anyone in the country who watched YouTube while under the age of 13 between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020 may be entitled to a small payment once claims open.
Exact payout amounts are yet to be determined and will depend on the number of claims filed.
Google’s previous scrutiny
This is not the first time Google has faced legal challenges over children’s data collection. In 2019, the company and its subsidiary YouTube paid a record $170 million fine to settle similar allegations with U.S. regulators.
The latest lawsuit underscores continued concerns over how tech companies handle sensitive data, especially as lawmakers push for stricter regulations around child privacy online.
What’s next?
Eligible users will be able to file claims once the court approves settlement procedures. The case also highlights ongoing debates about protecting minors in the digital age, as regulators and parents demand greater transparency from Big Tech.
