YouTube improperly used targeted ads on children’s videos, watchdogs say

After a research report last week found that YouTube’s advertising practices had the potential to undercut the privacy of children watching children’s videos, the company said it limited the collection of viewer data and did not serve targeted ads on such videos.

These types of personalized ads, which use data to tailor marketing to users online activities and interests, can be effective for finding the right consumers. Under a federal privacy law, however, children’s online services must obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from users younger than 13 to target them with ads a commitment YouTube extended to anyone watching a children’s video.