Google has agreed to a $30 million settlement in a class action lawsuit that accused the company of illegally collecting data from children under 13 who used YouTube, as reported by Reuters.

The lawsuit claimed that Google violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits the collection of personal data from minors without parental consent.

Plaintiffs alleged that YouTube tracked the viewing habits of young users for targeted advertising, a practice that is illegal for minors.

While Google has settled, it maintains that it did not engage in any wrongdoing. The settlement could potentially affect up to 45 million US residents.

Individuals who watched YouTube while under 13 between July 1, 2013, and April 1, 2020, may be eligible for a small payment once claims are opened, although the exact amounts will depend on the number of claims submitted.

This is not the first time Google has faced scrutiny regarding children’s data. In 2019, the company and YouTube paid a record $170 million fine to resolve similar allegations with U.S. regulators.

The recent lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about how tech companies manage sensitive data, particularly as lawmakers advocate for stricter regulations on child privacy online.

Next steps include the approval of settlement procedures by the court, allowing eligible users to file claims.

This case underscores the ongoing debate about protecting minors in the digital age, with increasing calls for transparency from major tech companies.