What’s the story?
Youtube has announced a new system for identifying kids’ content on its platform. From January 1, 2020, creators will be asked to specify which of their videos — new and previously uploaded ones alike — are “made for kids.” They will be able to define entire channels as kid-oriented, too. This rules applies to all creators, regardless of where they are based.
What will happen if they do?
On videos and channels marked as “for kids,” Youtube will no longer collect data on viewers (cookies) and show them targeted ads. Instead, “contextualized ads,” based on the video’s content, will be played. These videos and channels will also lose a number of features. On “kids” videos, things like comments, info cards, and end screens will be disabled; channels will no longer have notification bells, community tabs, stories, and more.
Why is this going on?
These plans are Youtube’s way of complying with a landmark settlement reached with the U.S.’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the New York attorney general on September 4. Youtube was fined a record $170 million for — according to the complaint — violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This law prohibits websites from gathering personal information on children (anyone under 13) without their parents’ consent. (The FTC’s website has more on the complaint.)