Disney Settles for $10 Million Over Child Privacy Violations
In a significant move, Disney has agreed to pay $10 million to resolve accusations of violating child privacy laws in the U.S. The settlement comes after a federal court approved an agreement related to claims made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This case highlights the ongoing issue of how children’s data is handled by large entertainment companies.
The Settlement Details
The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that the settlement aims to address allegations of inappropriate data collection practices by Disney. The agreement mandates that Disney must adhere to specific data-protection regulations while managing its YouTube channel and implement a program to ensure compliance moving forward.
Background of the Case
This civil case emerged from allegations that Disney collected personal data from children without acquiring necessary parental consent through its videos on YouTube. It was claimed that Disney misclassified an excess of 300 videos, including popular titles like The Incredibles, Toy Story, Frozen, and Mickey Mouse, as not being targeted at children. Under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, creators must categorize their videos accurately to comply with U.S. regulations regarding children’s data.
Importance of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, in effect since 2000 and subject to several updates, prohibits collecting data from children under the age of 13 without parental notification. Other prominent companies like Google and Microsoft have also faced penalties for similar infractions.
Official Statements
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate conveyed the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that parents maintain control over their children’s personal information, stating, “The Department will take swift action to root out any unlawful infringement on parents’ rights to protect their children’s privacy.”
Conclusion
Disney’s decision to settle these allegations serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding children’s privacy online. As one of the largest entertainment firms globally, Disney is expected to lead by example in compliance with data protection standards.
- Disney has agreed to a $10 million settlement regarding child privacy violations.
- The company will adhere to data protection rules while managing its YouTube channel.
- The allegations involved misclassification of over 300 child-targeted videos.
- The case emphasizes the significance of parental control over children’s online data collection.