YouTube has been accused by a British parent of illegally gathering data on children under 13, which would be in breach of a UK data privacy code.
Duncan McCann, who has three children, has lodged an official complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in which he claims YouTube gathered data on children’s viewing habits.
The complaint claims up to 5 million UK children under the age of 13 are having their location, viewing habits, and preferences logged in the data banks of YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet, which also owns Google.
McCann made the complaint as a private citizen but the action is supported by his employer, the charity 5Rights, which said it was the first complaint against a Big Tech firm for a breach of the Children’s Code, which was introduced in September 2021.
The charity 5Rights aims to ensure children’s needs and rights are not ignored in digital design.
McCann said: “Imagine YouTube as an adult stranger following your child online with a virtual clipboard recording everything they do. That is what is happening every day, and they are not just doing it with your child.”
