Google 'Fined' over YouTube Children's Data Approach

In the US, reports suggest the Federal Trade Commission is to fine Google a 'multi-million dollar sum' for the mishandling of children's data by its YouTube subsidiary, in violation of the COPPA act.

According to the Washington Post, which quotes an unnamed source, the amount of the fine and other terms of the settlement are yet to be revealed. The settlement was backed by the three Republican representatives on the FTC's panel, and opposed by the two Democrats - a split similar to that for last week's $5bn Facebook settlement.

COPPA - the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act - was established in 2008 and spells out what web sites must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online.

The Post says fears were also expressed during the current case that paedophiles were leaving inappropriate comments on videos featuring children, a phenomenon which earlier this year resulted in a temporary ban by YouTube of posting on any video showing a child.

In February this year, social media app TikTok, which is now known as Musical.ly, was fined $5.7m for videos uploaded by children under 13 without a parent's consent, and allegations that it collected the children's names, email addresses, pictures and locations.

The final say in the case now falls to the Justice Department, who are likely however to endorse the decision of the FTC.