Syed Imran Haider 
YouTube has allegedly collected UK children’s viewing data. The Information Commissioner Office has received an official complaint lodged by Duncan McCann, a campaigner. It accuses the video streaming platform of breaching a UK Data Privacy code intended to protect young children aged under 13.
According to McCann, YouTube gathers data about the videos watched by children. It also checks the locations and devices they use to watch the videos. On the other hand, the video streaming platform claimed to have invested in protecting broods. It also comprised the treatment the company does with all children’s content as families view it, even using an adult’s YouTube account.
A spokesperson of YouTube said the company remains committed to keeping its engagement with the Information Commissioner Office on the priority work and other primary stakeholders, including parents, children, and child-protection professionals.
The Alphabet-owned company has always acknowledged that its services did not intend to let children under 13 years access the platform. It offers YouTube Kids – a separate children’s app in addition to a supervised experience, requiring parental consent.
McCann said children enjoy YouTube videos on family devices, where the system gathers this data because children’s accounts do not have it. Many people believe McCann’s complaint to be the first test case of the Information Commissioner Office for UK data privacy code for children’s protection.
UK Data Privacy Code for Children’s Protection
The Internet Code protects children from harmful content on websites and apps like YouTube. It comprises numerous terms, including offering a high level of privacy for young children and avoiding using design features to encourage them to provide more data.
YouTube would deactivate the default settings for auto-play on content and block advertisement targeting and personalization for all children. The regulator Ofcom noted that about 89 percent of children between 3 to 17 years in the United Kingdom used YouTube in 2021. These firms seemed to have breached the children’s internet code. Accordingly, they could face significant fines, which typically have the severity of the penalties for violating data protection rules.
McCann acts in a personal capacity. It serves the campaign group, 5-Rights Foundation, known for championing the code. However, the ICO confirmed a careful consideration of the official complaint.
McCann’s preferred reform that he believes YouTube should stick to is to avoid collecting and processing unnecessary data when users enter YouTube. He believes that the best way to verify that they only obtain the adults’ data who properly give their consent for the process. The video hosting platform allows adults to sign into the recommendation systems, targeted ads, and tracking. McCann added it would be like a minority of users to do so.
YouTube had to pay a $170 million fine to a US regulator for breaching children’s privacy laws. It also accused the video hosting platform of collecting data on children below the age of 13 years without parental consent. While YouTube paid the fine and changed its business practices, it did not accept the allegations.
