Disney Reaches $10 Million Settlement For Collecting Information Without Parental Consent
By Space Coast Daily // September 7, 2025
Disney failed to properly label certain videos on its YouTube as directed toward children
The Walt Disney Company has agreed to pay a $10 million penalty after the Federal Trade Commission determined that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, known as the COPPA Rule. The law requires companies to notify parents and obtain their approval before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.
According to the FTC’s complaint, Disney failed to properly label certain videos on its YouTube channels as directed toward children.
This omission allowed YouTube to collect personal information from young viewers without parental consent and to deliver targeted advertisements to them, both of which are violations of the COPPA Rule. The complaint also raised concerns that autoplay features could have exposed children to content not intended for them.
Under the settlement, Disney will implement a program to review every video it publishes on YouTube to determine whether it is directed at children. The company must ensure compliance with privacy protections moving forward.
The case highlights the importance of parental involvement in safeguarding children’s online activity. Parents are encouraged to read the privacy policies of websites and apps their children use, as those covered by the COPPA Rule must explain how they handle personal information and request consent before collecting it.
Parents have the right to decide whether to grant consent, and they can limit how their child’s information is used or shared. They may also review collected information, withdraw consent, or request that the information be deleted.
The FTC offers additional resources for families through its Protecting Kids Online page. Concerns about potential violations of children’s privacy can be reported directly to the agency at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
