Final days until Google and YouTube forced to pay out $30million settlement after harvesting data from kids...

Google and YouTube are set to pay a $30 million settlement following a class action lawsuit accusing them of violating privacy laws by collecting personal data from children under 13. The alleged data harvesting occurred between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, when children watched content like cartoons and nursery rhymes on YouTube, which was then used for targeted advertising. While neither company admits wrongdoing, they agreed to the settlement to avoid further legal costs.

To be eligible for compensation, claimants must have been 13 or younger while watching videos aimed at children and residing in the United States during the specified timeframe. No proof of data collection is required to file a claim. The deadline to submit a claim is January 21, 2026, and forms can be submitted digitally or by mail.

Eligible claimants will receive a check or direct deposit, with the amount varying based on the number of successful claims. A final approval hearing is scheduled for January 13, and funds are expected to be distributed in the spring. This settlement is part of a trend of class-action lawsuits and settlements involving large companies addressing privacy concerns and other alleged wrongdoings.

(Source：The Sun)