Activists: Google advertising in children’s app YouTube is misleading

A collective of lawyers has complained to the US watchdog Federal Communications Commission about Google’s advertising in its YouTube children’s app. The advertorials would be unfair and misleading.

Google introduced the YouTube app for kids in February. It mainly offers child-friendly films, such as fragments of the American Sesame Street, The Muppets and National Geographic. Google added large buttons and a timer that parents can set, among other things.

Privacy activists who engaged the lawyers only think that the current app is not intended for children at all. According to the activists, the tech company has so “crammed” the program with advertisements and product placements that there is no clear distinction between entertainment and advertising. For example, they cite characters from the animated film Frozen who consume ice cream and drinks from McDonald’s.

The activists believe that digital media should be subject to the same rules as television, with the content of advertisements being tied to when children can watch. “As a consumer, you have a right to know who you are trying to influence,” an activist told The Wall Street Journal. According to her, young children are especially susceptible, because they naturally trust someone and have no experience with advertising.

Google has released a statement saying it is open to feedback to improve the app. The tech company would consult with a large number of partners, advocates and privacy groups.