They’re taking aim at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) planned expansion of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The new regulations could expand the definition of children’s content from “child-directed” to that which attracts a large number of child viewers, which the petitioners say is too broad. The petitioners are also objecting to a settlement that could also prohibits YouTube from running personalized ads, which rely on tracking web browsing activity and other data, on children’s content. (The Logic)

Talking point: Children’s videos are one of YouTube’s most popular content streams. Despite that, YouTube has maintained that its main site is not for viewers under 13, launching a separate app for kids in 2015. That app has failed to catch on—its viewership is about one per cent that of the main site.  The content creators argue that most parents do not oppose personalized ads on their videos, and that prohibiting them would significantly hamper their ability to make money. In turn, their petition says, the rules will reduce the overall quality of children’s content on the video service. COPPA already prohibits sites from tracking personal data for children under 13 without parental consent. In September, the FTC fined YouTube’s parent company Google US$170 million for violating those rules. As part of the settlement, YouTube agreed not to run personalized ads on children’s content, starting in January. Meanwhile, the FTC is soliciting public comments for a broad review of COPPA, which includes the strengthened provisions described in the petition.