$30 Million Google-YouTube Kids Settlement: A Complete Legal & Parental Guide to the YouTube Privacy Lawsuit — With Practical Advice for 2026 Claims If your child watched YouTube between 2013 and 2020, and was under 13 years old at the time, you could be eligible for compensation under a $30 million settlement from Google and YouTube. The settlement stems from alleged violations of children’s privacy laws — specifically, improper collection of personal data from minors using YouTube’s platform.
This guide explains everything you need to know — including who qualifies, how to file a claim, what the deadlines are, how much you could receive, and why this matters for you, your family, and the future of internet privacy. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, digital privacy advocate, or attorney — you’ll find clear answers and expert insights here.
Table of Contents
$30 Million Google-YouTube Kids Settlement
The $30 million Google–YouTube privacy settlement isn’t just about money — it’s a chance to assert control over how tech companies handle our children’s data. It’s also a signal that data privacy laws are being enforced, and platforms will be held accountable when they cross the line. If your family qualifies, it’s worth filing a claim. It takes just minutes and could result in a payout — and more importantly, sends a message that kids’ digital rights matter. You have until January 21, 2026, so don’t wait.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Settlement Fund | $30,000,000 (USD), funded by Google LLC & YouTube LLC |
| Eligibility Criteria | U.S. residents who were under age 13 anytime between July 1, 2013 – April 1, 2020, and watched child-directed content on YouTube |
| Claim Deadline | January 21, 2026 (Submit online by 11:59 PM PT or postmark by mail) |
| How to Claim | Via YouTubePrivacySettlement.com — online or by mail |
| Court Approval Hearing | Scheduled for January 13, 2026 |
| Case Name | Hubbard v. Google LLC et al., No. 5:19-cv-07016 (N.D. Cal.) |
| Governing Law | COPPA – Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act |
| Estimated Individual Payout | Pro-rata, depending on number of claims (not guaranteed) |
| Proof Required | No documentation required — self-certification under penalty of perjury |
What Is the $30 Million Google-YouTube Kids Settlement About?
The class action lawsuit was filed after multiple groups accused Google and YouTube of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting data on minors without appropriate parental consent.
The complaint claimed YouTube tracked and stored user data (like cookies and ad IDs) from children under 13 while they watched child-directed videos. This data allegedly enabled targeted advertising, without informing parents or giving them a chance to opt-out.
Rather than continue litigation, Google and YouTube agreed to pay $30 million into a settlement fund. This fund is now available for eligible individuals and families who submit valid claims.
Understanding COPPA – The Law Behind the Case
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was enacted by Congress in 1998 and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It protects the privacy of children under 13 by requiring websites and apps to:
- Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information
- Clearly disclose how they collect and use children’s data
- Allow parents to review and delete information gathered from their child
YouTube, while not designed exclusively for kids, has long hosted content directed at children — from toy reviews to animated nursery rhymes. According to the complaint, YouTube monetized this content through data-driven advertising, even though it knew the audience included underage users.
Who Is Eligible to Receive $30 Million Google-YouTube Kids Settlement?
To qualify for a payment under the YouTube privacy settlement, all of the following conditions must be true:
- You or your child resided in the United States at the time of viewing.
- You or your child were under age 13 at any point between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020.
- You or your child watched YouTube content directed at children (examples: Baby Shark, Peppa Pig, Cocomelon, unboxing videos, cartoons).
Eligibility is based on self-certification — you do not need to submit proof of what was watched, when, or for how long. You simply need to confirm the child’s age and that they watched child-directed content during the relevant time period.
A parent or guardian must file the claim on behalf of any child under the age of 18 at the time of filing.
How to File a $30 Million Google-YouTube Kids Settlement Claim – Step-by-Step Instructions
Filing a claim is free, simple, and secure, and can be done in two ways:
1. File Online
- Go to the official claims page: https://youtubeprivacysettlement.com/file-a-claim
- Click “Submit a Claim Online”
- Complete the claim form:
- Your name and contact info
- Child’s first name, age during the class period
- Confirmation of eligibility
- Review your entries and submit
- Save the confirmation for your records
2. File by Mail
- Download and print the claim form from the settlement site
- Fill it out manually
- Sign and date the form
- Mail it to:
YouTube Privacy Settlement c/o A.B. Data, Ltd. P.O. Box 173131 Milwaukee, WI 53217 Postmark your claim no later than January 21, 2026.
How Much Will I Receive?
The payout you receive will depend on the number of valid claims filed. Here’s what to expect:
- The total fund is $30,000,000.
- After deducting administrative costs and attorney fees, the remainder is split equally among all approved claimants.
- If millions of people apply, the individual payments may be small (possibly under $10).
- If fewer people apply, each claimant could receive more significant compensation (potentially $30–$60 or higher).
This settlement is pro-rata, meaning everyone gets an equal share of what’s left — not a fixed dollar amount.
What Happens Next?
After you file:
- Your claim will be reviewed for eligibility and accuracy.
- The final approval hearing is scheduled for January 13, 2026. The judge will decide whether to approve the settlement.
- If the court approves the deal and no appeals delay the process, payments may begin within several months of final approval.
Why This Case Matters for Families and the Future of the Internet?
While the money is important, this case is also a wake-up call for digital parenting and data ethics. Some of the key takeaways include:
- Children’s data is a valuable commodity — and companies need to respect their privacy.
- YouTube has changed its policies to restrict data collection and limit ads on child-directed content as a result of public scrutiny and legal pressure.
- This lawsuit may lead to stricter enforcement of COPPA, as other tech giants take note.
- Parents need to be aware of what their children are watching — and how platforms may be tracking them in the background.
Experts recommend using parental control tools, regularly checking account settings, and using YouTube Kids or alternatives like PBS Kids or KidoodleTV when possible.
Other Similar Settlements You Should Know About
This isn’t the only major privacy lawsuit involving tech and kids:
- In 2019, YouTube paid a $170 million fine to the FTC and New York AG for similar COPPA violations — but that money went to the government, not individuals.
- TikTok (formerly Musical.ly) also settled a $5.7 million case in 2019 for COPPA violations.
- Meta (Facebook) has faced multiple investigations over how it handles data for users under 18.
The YouTube class action settlement is unique in that it directly compensates families, which sets a strong precedent.
$7,500 AT&T Settlement Checks 2026 – Check Payments Dates, Amounts, and Eligibility Criteria
$2,500 Data Breach Settlement Claim Deadline – Final Chance to Seek From Six Insurers
FirstEnergy $249 Million Settlement – How This Agreement Could Affect Your Electric Bill
