By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 9-4-19

Turns out YouTube and parent Google will pay $170 million to settle allegations it violated children’s privacy laws, the largest-ever fine for such a violation, with the government saying that YouTube does indeed contain child-directed content.

That is according to the Federal Trade Commission on Sept. 4.  An FTC official said it was the first time the FTC was holding a platform liable for content under COPPA, but the FTC signaled it would not be the last.

The vote was three to two, with the dissenting Democrats arguing the penalty was insufficient.

The allegations were leveled by the Federal Trade Commission, joined by the New York State attorney general, which said YouTube had collected personal information from kids without their parents’ approval, essentially using cookies to milk the kids for info it could use to attract ad dollars.  » Read More