Voice data from children is among the most sensitive categories of biometric-adjacent data; parents should know it is collected even briefly and understand they are trusting Google's deletion claim without independent verification.
Consumer impact
YouTube Kids collects your child's viewing and search activity, device identifiers, and — if a parent signs in with a Google Account — profile details including the child's name and age, which are used to personalize content recommendations. Voice search audio is briefly collected but immediately deleted after processing. You can pause or clear your child's watch and search history by going to the parental settings section within the app.
Applicable agencies
Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form