Senators Call for Investigation on YouTube's Targeted Ads for Kids Yet Again

Fei Ruby, Tech Times 19 August 2023, 01:08 pm

Concerns about YouTube's methods involving targeted advertising directed at children have been raised by the ad quality transparency platform Adalytics, which has reignited discussions about compliance with privacy and child safety legislation.

The findings raise questions about the platform's compliance with these rules by claiming that almost 100 "made for kids" films were linked to adverts that could have broken child safety laws.

(Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
The Google and YouTube logos are seen at the entrance to the Google offices in Los Angeles, California, November 21, 2019.

Dangerous Content for Kids

Analysis of several adult-targeted advertisements revealed that some of the content, such as TV-MA episodes and vehicle accidents, was inappropriate for young viewers. It is alarming that the targeted audience and the actual content don't match up.

This is especially true given the impressionable minds who visit YouTube. The material is inappropriate for young viewers.

According to research, websites that were connected to these advertisements sent cookies to users' devices, possibly taking advantage of their online actions. Ads on YouTube's kid-friendly material are not allowed to use third-party trackers or gather personal information according to Google's regulations.

The research was deemed "deeply flawed" by Google's Vice President of Global Ads, Dan Taylor, who also said that third-party trackers are not permitted in adverts on kid-friendly material and defended the company's adherence to these guidelines.

The Government's Concern

Senator Ed Markey and Marsha Blackburn have written a joint letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair, Lina Khan, urging the FTC to investigate claims made by Adalytics.

The letter suggests that Google and YouTube may have violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and a 2019 FTC consent decree, which mandates online platforms to obtain parental consent before collecting data from users under 13. This potential privacy breach underscores the significance of the issue.

Effects on the Advertising Industry

Due to suspicions that the site may not effectively shield its youthful audience from hazardous content, major advertising companies, like IPG Mediabrands, are temporarily banning YouTube advertising, raising questions about the affiliation of their brands with the platform.

Adalytics claims that Google and YouTube mislead marketers regarding the placement of video ads, which has brought their advertising practices under fire.

Google denied this claim, despite the fact that some customers received refunds. Trust between the platforms and advertisers is increasingly deteriorating since the veracity of these accusations is still in question.