The privacy protection that Google offers through its services and products is always questioned, so it should come as no surprise that a complaint has been filed in the UK. a formal complaint about alleged data collection children through the version Youtube adapted to a children’s audience.

YouTube Kids has been operating for eight years as a version of the service aimed at children and with parental controls to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. Like the standard version of the platform, it has advertising, but it is subject to a stricter review process and does not contain product purchase flows or click-throughs to external websites, according to the company.

Although initially a good idea, YouTube Kids has not been without controversy throughout its history, especially when it was accused of providing conspiracy videos. The company responded by first removing content from a modified version of the platform and then launching a non-algorithmic, whitelist-based version of YouTube Kids to more effectively prevent inappropriate content.

Now YouTube, or rather its parent company Alphabet, will have to face another trial a formal complaint made through the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) by the charity group 5Rights and an individual who accused Google (the name by which Alphabet is still known) of illegally collecting data from children. According to his version, the plaintiff states that the video platform has collected the habits, locations and preferences of up to 5 million UK children in breach of the UK Children’s Code.

Although no formal investigation has yet been launched, Stephen Bonner, the ICO’s deputy commissioner, said he would consider a complaint against YouTube and that appropriate action would be taken if the company was found to have breached data protection legislation. Through the above measures, YouTube has emphasized its commitment to protecting children’s privacy.

We’ll see how this case develops and if it ends up in court. As we have said on many occasions, Google services are good and secure, but the privacy they offer is always questioned.