Good news for parents! The $30 Million YouTube Privacy Class Action Settlement is officially accepting claims. If your child watched kid-friendly videos on YouTube or YouTube Kids in the U.S. during a specific period, you could be eligible for a cash payment.
The heart of the lawsuit is the allegation that Google collected data from young viewers for advertising without getting the required permission from parents. This, the plaintiffs argued, violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Even though Google and YouTube deny that they did anything wrong, they agreed to the settlement to wrap up the costly and lengthy court battle, known as Hubbard v. Google.
What’s the Settlement All About?
This $30 million fund is specifically designed to resolve claims that Google and YouTube tracked children under 13 who were watching content like cartoons, educational clips, and nursery rhymes. They allegedly used this collected personal data to serve targeted ads.
- Case Name: Hubbard v. Google
- Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- The Claim: Collecting personal data from children under 13 without parental consent, in violation of COPPA and state privacy laws.
The total 30 Million YouTube Privacy Class Action Settlement will be used to cover payments to claimants, as well as administrative and legal costs.
Who Qualifies for a Payment?
Figuring out if you qualify for 30 Million YouTube Privacy Class Action Settlement is simple. The settlement covers a huge group, but you must meet three main criteria.
You can be part of the settlement if you or your child:
| Criteria | Details |
| Location | Lived in the United States during the covered period. |
| Age | Were under 13 years old at any time during the Timeframe. |
| Timeframe | Watched child-directed videos on YouTube between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020. |
It’s important to know that parents or legal guardians must be the ones to submit the claim on behalf of the minor, even if that child is now over 18.
How Much Can I Expect to Get?
The final amount is not set in stone yet, as it depends on how many people file a valid claim. The more claims approved, the smaller the individual payout will be.
- Total Settlement Fund: $30 Million
- What comes out first? Attorney fees (up to 30%), legal expenses, and administrative costs.
- Estimated Payout: Experts estimate the payout could range between $10 and $60 per eligible child.
The money will be distributed on a pro-rata (equal share) basis to all approved claimants. Be patient, though—payments won’t be processed until the court gives final approval and all appeals are resolved, which could take anywhere from a few months to up to two years.
Steps to File Your Claim (Don’t Miss the Deadline!)
Ready to submit a claim for your child? You have two easy ways to do it, but you need to act fast!
The Absolute Deadline is January 21, 2026.
1. File Online (The Fastest Way):
- Go to the official settlement website: YouTubePrivacySettlement.com
- Fill out the online claim form with your information and the details of your eligible child.
- The online portal closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on January 21, 2026.
2. File By Mail:
- You can send your completed claim form to the Settlement Administrator.
- Mailing Address:
- YouTube Privacy Settlement17
- c/o A.B. Data Ltd.18
- P.O. Box 17313119
- Milwaukee, WI 53217
- Mailed claims must be postmarked on or before January 21, 2026.
Important: You do NOT need to provide proof of the child’s YouTube activity. You just need to confirm under penalty of perjury that your child watched child-directed videos during the qualifying period.
Quick FAQs on the YouTube Settlement
What if I have multiple children?
You can (and should) submit separate claims for each child who qualifies.
What if we used a shared account?
It doesn’t matter if you used a shared or family account. Eligibility is based on the child’s age and the content watched, not the account owner.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you don’t file a claim, you will not receive any payment, but you will still be legally bound by the Court’s final decision on the case.
Is it safe to share my child’s information?
Yes. All claims are processed through a court-approved, secure website managed by the settlement administrator. Only submit information through the authorized website.
