Google adds extra privacy protections for kids on search and YouTube

The move comes in a bid to protect the digital footprint of kids and teens.

Google has announced it will soon implement extra privacy measures for minors using their search and YouTube platforms. In a bid to protect the digital footprint of kids and teens, a range of new measures will be coming into effect in September. This includes the automatic privatisation of videos uploaded to YouTube by those under 18. This means they can only be viewed by the uploader and whoever they choose at first, though they can later change this setting if desired. As another change, the video platform will also turn off autoplay features for younger viewers and adjust its current settings to give break and bedtime reminders. There will also be policy changes on removals from Google Images, meaning anyone 18 or under or their parent or guardian can request that their image be taken down from search results. Additionally, Google announced it will turn off location history for child user accounts globally – without the option to switch it back on. This feature was previously only available to children with supervised accounts. The tech giant further revealed plans to expand safeguards surrounding ads and minors. Certain age-sensitive ad categories will be prevented from being displayed to teenagers. Ad targeting based on the age, gender, or interests of people under 18 will also be blocked from all Google products over the coming months. The move by a company as big as Google is a big win for children's internet safety and will hopefully prompt more tech firms to take action in protecting children online.