Consumers who were younger than age 13 or had a child younger than age 13 who watched children’s content on YouTube in the United States between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement pending preliminary approval.
Google LLC and YouTube LLC agreed to pay $30,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the companies collected personal data from children younger than age 13 without parental consent and used that data for advertising. A motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed in federal court on Aug. 18, 2025. A preliminary approval hearing is scheduled to take place on Sept. 23, 2025.
Who is eligible for a YouTube settlement payment?
Class members include anyone in the United States who was younger than age 13 at any time from July 1, 2013, to April 1, 2020 and watched YouTube content directed at children during the qualifying time period.
- Parents or legal guardians may file a claim on behalf of their child if the child was younger than age 13 during the class period and watched children’s content on YouTube.
- If the class member is younger than age 18 as of the claim deadline, a parent or legal guardian must submit the claim.
- Class members can only submit one claim per eligible child.
How much is the YouTube class action payout?
Pro rata cash payment: Valid claimants will receive a pro rata cash payment from the net settlement fund. The settlement administrator will determine the payment amount by the number of claims filed.
How to claim a class action rebate
To receive a settlement payment, class members must file a claim. They will have the option of filing a claim online or downloading a PDF claim form to print, complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
The settlement website and claim form will be available approximately 30 days after the settlement receives preliminary approval.
Is proof required to submit YouTube privacy claim?
Class members do not need to submit additional documentation at the time of claim submission, but the settlement administrator may request more information if needed.
Payout options
- Electronic payment
- Paper check
$30 million YouTube children’s privacy settlement fund breakdown
The $30,000,000 settlement fund will include:
- Notice and administration costs: Up to $1,000,000
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $9,000,000
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $250,000
- Service awards to class representatives’ guardians: Up to $1,500 each
- Payments to valid claimants: Remaining settlement funds
When is the YouTube children’s privacy settlement payout date?
After the court grans preliminary approval to the settlement, it will set a final approval hearing date. The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court grants final approval of the settlement and completes claim processing.
Why is there a YouTube privacy class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleged that Google collected personal data from children younger than age 13 who watched children’s content on YouTube without parental consent then used that data for advertising purposes. The plaintiffs claimed these actions violated privacy laws.
Google denies all allegations, but agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense and risks of continued litigation.
Important dates
- Preliminary approval hearing date: Sept. 23, 2025
- Settlement website and claim form available: 30 days after the court grants preliminary approval of the settlement