Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube will is facing a complaint to the UK’s data protection body over allegations it is unlawfully gathering data on children in breach of new rules implemented to protect them online.
(Bloomberg) — Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube will is facing a complaint to the UK’s data protection body over allegations it is unlawfully gathering data on children in breach of new rules implemented to protect them online.
The Information Commissioner’s Office said it would consider the complaint from a charity group that alleges the video sharing website violates the UK’s Children’s Code, introduced in 2020.
“As a regulator we expect children’s data to be protected online,” Stephen Bonner, a deputy commissioner at the Information Commissioner’s Office, said. “If that’s not the case, we’ll take action.”
The code guides how the UK’s data protection rules apply to digital services aimed at children. Breaking such rules risks penalties of as much as 4% of a company’s annual global revenue. YouTube isn’t subject of a formal investigation by the ICO yet.
The charity group, 5Rights, as well as a father of a three young children complained to the ICO that YouTube is collecting at least the location, viewing habits and preferences of as many as 5 million children in the UK.
An email sent to YouTube’s press team in the UK requesting comment wasn’t immediately returned.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.