The Latest: Advocacy groups disappointed in YouTube-FTC deal

By Associated Press 05 September 2019, 12:00AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on U.S. fine against YouTube (all times local):

10:35 a.m.

Child advocacy groups that helped spark a government investigation of YouTube say the outcome doesn't do enough to protect children.

YouTube owner Google will pay the Federal Trade Commission $136 million and New York state $34 million to settle charges of violating children's online privacy. It's also agreed to changes to its business practices.

Two groups whose complaint helped trigger the FTC's investigation say they're pleased the settlement may reduce the amount of behavioral advertising targeting children on YouTube.

But the groups say Wednesday's settlement falls short in holding Google responsible.

The groups — the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy — also say it shifts too much of the burden from YouTube to those who create videos for the service.

___

9:15 a.m.

The Federal Trade Commission is fining Google's video site YouTube $136 million to settle allegations it collected children's personal data without their parents' consent.

Google will pay an additional $34 million to New York state to resolve similar allegations brought by the state's attorney general.

The fine marks the largest the FTC has leveled against Google, although it's dwarfed by the $5 billion fine the agency imposed against fellow tech giant Facebook earlier this year for privacy violations.

The FTC found that YouTube violated a law that requires parental consent before companies can collect children's personal information.

YouTube has said its service is intended for ages 13 and older, although younger kids commonly watch videos on the site and many popular YouTube channels feature cartoons or sing-a-longs made for children.

By Associated Press 05 September 2019, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>