Google and YouTube Children’s Data Privacy Class Action Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

Millions of children in the U.S. watch YouTube every day, from toddlers discovering nursery rhymes to pre-teens following educational creators. But according to a long-running class action lawsuit, those young viewers may have had their personal data collected without proper parental consent.

Google and YouTube have reportedly agreed to a $30 million settlement to resolve allegations that the companies collected and used data from children under 13 who viewed child-directed content. While the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing, it marks one of the most significant children’s online privacy cases since COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) was introduced.

Below, we break down what the lawsuit alleges, who is included in the proposed settlement, and how families can file a claim.

What Is the YouTube Children’s Privacy Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit, first filed in October 2019, claims that Google and YouTube allegedly tracked the online activity of children under 13 who watched content designed for kids. According to the plaintiffs, this data was collected without parental consent, which may violate COPPA and various state privacy laws.

These claims surfaced shortly after the FTC and the New York Attorney General announced a $170 million enforcement action against Google and YouTube in September 2019 over alleged COPPA violations. The class action followed soon after, representing millions of families concerned about the online privacy of children.

While Google and YouTube deny wrongdoing, the companies have agreed to a $30 million class action settlement, which is now moving through the approval process.

Who Is Included in the Proposed Settlement?

If the court grants final approval, the settlement is expected to cover all individuals in the United States who were under the age of 13 and watched child-directed YouTube content between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020.

This includes an estimated 35 to 45 million individuals, making it one of the largest children’s privacy settlements in U.S. history.

Because minors cannot file their own legal claims, a parent or guardian must submit the claim on behalf of an eligible child.

How to Know if Your Child Qualifies

Your child may be eligible if:

• They were under 13 at any time between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, and
• They watched content that appears to be directed at children, such as:
  • Cartoon channels
  • Toy review videos
  • Educational kids’ content
  • Animated story channels
  • Any channel clearly marked or intended for kids

There is currently no requirement to prove exactly which videos were watched. Parents must simply provide accurate information in the claim form.

Where to File a Claim

To file a claim, visit the official YouTube Privacy Settlement Claim Form. The deadline to submit your claim is January 21, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to participate in the YouTube kids privacy settlement if your child is eligible.

If you're eligible, submitting your claim is simple:

Gather your information: Have your child’s information ready, including their birthdate and confirmation that they watched child-directed YouTube content between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020. If you're filing on behalf of more than one child, you will need to submit the details for each of them. A parent or legal guardian must complete the form.

Submit online: Visit the Submit a Claim page on the official website to complete the form. Follow the instructions and provide the requested details. You may also download a printable PDF version of the claim form, complete it, and mail it to the address listed on the form.

Deadline: All claim forms must be submitted online or postmarked by January 21, 2026.

By filing your claim, you’ll be part of the proposed settlement and may receive compensation once the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

How Much Money Will Families Receive?

The settlement fund totals $30 million, but exact payment amounts are not yet known. That amount will be distributed:

• Pro rata (shared equally among claimants)
• After deducting legal fees, administrative expenses, taxes, and awards to lead plaintiffs

Because millions of children may qualify, payouts may vary widely depending on how many valid claim forms are submitted.

What the Lawsuit Allegedly Claims Google and YouTube Did

Court documents and public filings outline the allegations, including that Google and YouTube allegedly:

• Collected personal identifiers from children (such as cookies or tracking data)
• Used this data to allegedly track viewing habits on child-directed channels
• Collected that information without verified parental consent

The lawsuit argues that this alleged data collection may violate COPPA, which requires digital platforms to obtain parental permission before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.

Again, Google and YouTube deny the allegations and have not admitted any wrongdoing. The settlement simply resolves the claims without further litigation.

Why This Lawsuit Matters for Parents and Child-Privacy Advocates

The case has drawn significant attention from privacy advocates, educators, and lawmakers because:

• YouTube is one of the most widely used platforms by U.S. children.
• Parents have long expressed concerns about how tech companies use children’s data.
• COPPA enforcement remains a major topic in digital privacy discussions.

With tens of millions of potentially affected families, the settlement has become a central example of why conversations about children’s digital rights are more important than ever.