Google to Pay $30M Over YouTube Kids Data Lawsuit

News Desk

Islamabad: Google has agreed to pay $30 million to resolve a class action lawsuit accusing the company of unlawfully collecting data from children under 13 who used YouTube, according to court documents cited by Reuters.

The lawsuit claimed that Google violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law that bars companies from gathering personal data from children under 13 without parental permission.

According to the plaintiffs, YouTube tracked the viewing behavior of young users to support targeted advertising—an industry-standard practice that is illegal when applied to minors. While Google has agreed to the settlement, it denies any wrongdoing.

Who Can Receive a Payout?

The settlement could affect up to 45 million people in the U.S. Anyone who watched YouTube while under the age of 13 between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, may be eligible for compensation once the claims process begins.

The final payout amount per person will depend on how many valid claims are submitted.

Google’s History of Scrutiny

This isn’t Google’s first legal challenge related to children’s privacy. In 2019, Google and YouTube paid a record $170 million fine to settle similar allegations brought by U.S. regulators.

This latest settlement reflects ongoing concerns about how tech companies handle sensitive user data—especially that of children as lawmakers continue pushing for stronger privacy protections.

What Happens Next?

Eligible individuals will be able to submit claims after the court finalizes the settlement process. The case adds to the growing national conversation about safeguarding minors online, as both regulators and parents call for more accountability and transparency from major tech companies.