Security News > 2020 > September > £2.5bn sueball claims Google slurps kids' YouTube browsing habits then sells them on

A campaign group is suing Google for up to £2.5bn over claims that YouTube breaks EU data protection laws by harvesting information about children under 13 - and is hoping to turn it into a UK class-action-style case.

In a particulars of claim filed at London's High Court and seen by The Register, McCann said Google "Failed to obtain valid parental consent for the processing of personal data of children under 13 years of age, as required by law".

Foxglove director Cori Crider said in a statement: "From dodgy 'kidfluencers' to toy unboxing videos, Google's drive to profit from kids' attention has turned corners of YouTube into a weird technicolored nightmare. This case isn't just about ads. The real price of YouTube's 'free' services is kids addicted, influenced, and exploited by Google. It's already unlawful to data-mine children under 13.".

Google Ireland Ltd is said to have denied that it is the data controller for YouTube's EU-based users, instead pointing at US parent company Google LLC. Google has acknowledged service of the case but is yet to file its formal defence.

"We don't comment on pending litigation. YouTube is not for children under the age of 13. We launched the YouTube Kids app as a dedicated destination for kids and are always working to better protect kids and families on YouTube." .

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2020/09/15/youtube_sued_kids_data_profiling/