Campaigner accuses YouTube of Breaching UK Data Privacy Code by Collecting Children’s Viewing Data
YouTube has been accused of breaching a UK data privacy code designed to protect children. Duncan McCann, a campaigner for the 5Rights Foundation, has filed an official complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) claiming that the site is collecting the viewing data of children under 13. The data includes what videos children watch, where they watch them and on which device.
YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet, says it has always claimed its service was not intended for use by children under 13, but McCann claims that many children watch content on family devices where data can be gathered by default. In 2019, the platform was fined $170m by a US regulator for collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.
YouTube changed its business practices as a result, collecting less data on children’s content and no longer sending personalised ads to people watching that content. According to the UK regulator Ofcom, 89% of children between three and 17 used the platform in 2021. Firms that breach the children’s internet code can face significant fines.
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