It also said it would turn off its "location
history" feature, which tracks location data, for users under 18 globally.
It will further expand the types of age-sensitive advertisement categories that
are blocked for users up to 18 and will turn on safe searching filters for
users up to that age.
Google is introducing a new policy for all under-18s and
their parents or guardians to request the removal of the young person's images
from Google Image search results, the company said in a blog post, as part of several
changes regarding young users.
Major online platforms have long been under scrutiny from
lawmakers and regulators over their sites' impact on the safety, privacy and
wellbeing of younger users.
"Some countries are implementing regulations in this area,
and as we comply with these regulations, we're looking at ways to develop
consistent product experiences and user controls for kids and teens
globally," said Mindy Brooks, Google's general manager for kids and
families.
Online platforms' approach to younger users has been in the
spotlight in recent months as US lawmakers and attorneys general slammed
Facebook's plans to create a kids-focused version of Instagram. Facebook
recently announced changes to advertisement targeting of under 18s, though its
advertisers can still target these younger users based by age, gender or
location.
Google's video-streaming site YouTube said on Tuesday it
would in the coming weeks change the default upload setting to its most private
option for teens aged 13-17, where content is seen only be the user and people
they choose. Users will still be able to decide to make their content public.
YouTube will also remove "overly commercial
content" from its YouTube Kids app, "such as a video that only
focuses on product packaging or directly encourages children to spend
money," said the site's kids and family product management director, James
Beser.
© Reuters
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