Accusations for Google and YouTube recently published. According to these accusations, they collect children’s personal data – of course without parental consent – and use it to show them targeted ads. That practice, except from unethical, is also illegal.
Twenty-three digital rights and children’s advocacy organisations have requested that the FTC investigate this matter.
Google collects information from minors, such as the device they are using, their location and even mobile phone numbers, through YouTube. “YouTube collects this information without informing parents first, and Google uses it to show targeted ads everywhere on the Internet,” they complain. “For years Google has failed to protect children and families as it should. The company falsely claimed that YouTube, a site filled with children’s songs and toy ads, is not intended for children under 13.” Josh Golin, of the Campaign for Ad-Free Childhood, underlined in the statement. “Google is raking in giant profits through targeted ads for children and must respect” U.S. laws protecting children’s privacy on the Internet, Golin stressed.
Google’s practice, according to the organizations, runs counter to the 1998 law. The law prohibits a website intended for underage to collect children’s personal data. Websites that children use should not collect such information without parental consent.” For its part, Google replied that it didn’t receive information of the appeal. It stressed that “the protection of children and families is a priority”.
“Because YouTube is not for children, we have invested heavily in creating the YouTube Kids app. It proposes an alternative specifically for children,” a company spokesperson commented.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
