The UK’s information regulator announced on Wednesday that it will investigate a formal complaint alleging that YouTube, owned by Alphabet, has illegally gathered data from millions of children.
The complaint, initiated by Duncan McCann, a father of three and an advocate supported by the organization 5Rights, asserts that the video platform has violated newly enacted laws by collecting details such as “location, viewing habits, and preferences” from approximately 5 million minors.
As nations grapple with the challenge of creating effective legislation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of social media users, particularly children, from harmful content without infringing on the principles of free speech.
In his statement, McCann urged YouTube to redesign its platform and to eliminate the data it has been collecting. He described the situation as a “massive, unlicensed, social experiment on our children with uncertain consequences.”
A representative from YouTube responded by highlighting recent enhancements to child privacy protections, including more rigorous default settings and investments aimed at safeguarding children and families. The spokesperson noted the launch of a dedicated kids app and new data management practices.
“We remain committed to engaging with the ICO on this priority issue, along with other essential stakeholders such as children, parents, and child protection experts,” the YouTube representative stated.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) indicated that it would thoroughly review the complaint. Stephen Bonner, the ICO’s Deputy Commissioner for Regulatory Supervision, emphasized in a statement that the Children’s Code specifies that children require significant protections online, as they are not the same as adults.
The UK’s Children’s Code mandates that service providers adhere to 15 design and privacy standards to ensure the well-being of children, which includes restricting the collection of their location and other personal data.
In 2019, YouTube faced a significant penalty of $170 million (approximately Rs. 1,400 crore) from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to resolve allegations that it had violated federal laws by collecting personal information from children.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
