Google and YouTube pay $30 million – this is how you benefit!

Google and YouTube pay $30 million – this is how you benefit!

On November 2, 2025, it was announced that Google and YouTube had agreed to a $30 million settlement to end a class action lawsuit. This lawsuit accuses the company of violating children's privacy laws by collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent while they viewed content intended for children on YouTube. According to dailyhodl.com, the settlement applies to U.S. citizens under the age of 13 who viewed such videos between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020.

As part of the settlement, the class representatives' legal representatives may receive up to $1,500 in service awards. Google denies breaking any laws but says the agreement was reached to avoid further legal battles. Payments to class members will be distributed pro rata based on the number of valid claims filed, after deducting attorneys' fees, expenses and administration.

Payments and Claims

No proof of watching the videos is required for the claims. The exact payout amounts depend on the total number of claims submitted. Those interested must submit their claims online or by mail by January 21, 2026. A final approval hearing is scheduled for January 13, 2026 in federal court.

This settlement action is a direct result of a 2019 class action lawsuit filed in California regarding the handling of children's data under laws such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The case highlights ongoing concerns about the privacy practices of major technology companies and their responsibilities when handling sensitive user data.