Technology

Posted on November 13, 2019 by staff

New YouTube rule could cut revenue for child-friendly creators

Technology

Video giant YouTube has announced a change to the way its creators label their content which could affect revenue for uploaders creating child-friendly content.

Starting today, YouTube uploaders will have to label their content as either ‘made for kids’ or ‘not made for kids’ in the process of uploading the video.

From early next year the firm said it will limit the data it collects on ‘made for kids’ content and will disable personalised ads on this content, which affects revenue for creators making content for kids.

It will also change certain features like comments and notifications.

The changes are required as part of a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and NY Attorney General, but will be required regardless of the uploader’s location.

YouTube said that the new requirement will help its creators with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable laws.

“We know that these changes won’t be easy for some creators, and that this required change is going to take some time getting used to. But these are important steps to take to ensure compliance with the law,” the company wrote in an email to its users.

YouTube also said those that for uploaders who do not set their content correctly, or in cases of error or abuse, it may enforce the option of the uploader’s behalf.

“If you fail to set your content accurately you may face compliance issues with the FTC or other authorities, and we may take action on your YouTube account,” wrote YouTube.

While the firm said it could not provide specific legal advice, it offered the FTC’s guidance on COPPA, which says a video is child directed, or ‘made for kids’ if it is directed to children as the primary audience, or is directed to children but children are a secondary audience.