Aug 11, 2021 11:58:00

Google and YouTube strengthen protection under the age of 18, options to remove images from search results, change default settings when uploading videos, etc.

On August 10, 2021, Google and YouTube announced policy changes and updates to protect children under the age of 18 from online problems. With this announcement, `` option to request removal of specific images from search results '' will be added, and there will be changes such as `` the default setting when uploading videos to YouTube will be `

` unlisted ''. That's it.

Giving kids and teens a safer experience online
https://blog.google/technology/families/giving-kids-and-teens-safer-experience-online/

Google restricts ad targeting of minors and will delist photos of kids at their request - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/10/22617976/google-children-ad-targeting-youtube-default-privacy-safesearch

Underage children have been actively using Internet services for a long time, but in recent years, due to the effects of pandemics, the Internet has become more familiar and indispensable. While connecting over the internet is important for children experiencing a pandemic, parents and privacy experts are concerned about how to keep children safe.

Some countries have already introduced strict rules to protect children, and Google is announcing new policies and updates to comply with these rules and provide a consistent product experience around the world. bottom.

・Requests to remove images from search results
Mindy Brooks, Google's general manager of children and families, pointed out that ``Children are particularly at risk in managing images on the Internet,'' and children inadvertently publish their own images on the Internet. I think that there is a case to do it. Therefore, Google will introduce a new policy in the coming weeks that allows children under the age of 18 and their parents to request the removal of images from Google Image search results. Removing an image from search results doesn't make the image disappear from the web once it's online, but at least gives kids the ability to have more control over their online images, Brooks said.

・Default safe search setting
Google has long turned on SafeSearch by default for users under the age of 13 who are managed by

Family Link , but will extend this range to users in the age group who can create their own accounts. About. “In the coming months, we will turn on SafeSearch for existing users under the age of 18 and make it the default setting for teens creating new accounts,” Brooks explained. In addition, it seems that when children use the Google Assistant on family-shared devices such as smart displays, new default protections will be introduced so that adult content is not displayed.

・Collection of location history
Google collects user location history to improve the product experience, but privacy experts have also raised concerns about privacy. Google has announced that it will soon remove the option to turn on Location History for users under the age of 18, leaving it turned off.

・Apps on Google Play
In May 2021, Google announced that it would set up an item called 'safety section' that specifies how the app uses user data in the Google Play app store. It will be possible to check whether it complies with the ' Family Policy ' of. So parents can check the safety section before installing the app on their child's device and easily determine if the app is safe.

・Ad display
In the coming months, Google will make changes to prevent age-sensitive ads from being displayed to teens, as well as not to display age-, gender-, and interest-based targeting ads to those under the age of 18.

Also, YouTube has made new changes to protect teens.

New safety and digital wellbeing options for younger people on YouTube and YouTube Kids

https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/new-safety-and-digital-wellbeing-options-younger-people-youtube-and-youtube-kids/

YouTube, Google Launch New Protections for Kids Under 18 - Variety
https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/youtube-google-child-safety-private-uploads-1235038219/

・Default settings when posting videos
On YouTube, the default setting for uploading videos by children aged 13 to 17 is 'unlisted', where only users who know the link can view it.

・Digital Wellbeing Tools
Google allows parents to manage device usage time and reminders using Digital Wellbeing tools for their child's account created with Family Link. Newly, YouTube will be able to manage via the Digital Wellbeing tool, and it will be possible to notify users aged 13 to 17 about breaks and bedtime. Additionally, the autoplay feature will be turned off by default for users ages 13-17.

・Protection from commercial content
YouTube has made new changes to the handling of commercial content in children's videos, and plans to remove overly commercial content from YouTube Kids in the coming weeks. For example, videos that focus too much on product packaging or directly encourage children to spend money will be removed.