Disney fined $10 million for COPPA violations on YouTube

According to HackRead, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $10 million settlement with Disney on December 31, 2025, stemming from the company's handling of its YouTube content and alleged violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

The Justice Department accused Disney of failing to properly label its YouTube videos as directed toward children. This oversight allegedly allowed Disney and its partners to target advertisements at children and collect their data without obtaining prior parental consent, a direct contravention of COPPA. The law requires websites to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. Despite Disney's massive viewership, the company's failure to designate content appropriately meant it bypassed the automatic privacy protections afforded to children's content. The Federal Trade Commission initially investigated the matter before referring it to the Justice Department.

This settlement underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny on how major platforms handle children's data. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasized the government's commitment to protecting parental rights over their children's information. Beyond the financial penalty, the court order mandates Disney Worldwide Services and Disney Entertainment Operations to implement specific programs to ensure ongoing compliance with COPPA on YouTube.

Source: HackRead