The US Department of Justice announced on December 31, 2025, that Disney will pay a $10 million civil penalty for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This settlement stems from allegations that Disney failed to properly label its YouTube videos as children’s content, resulting in the collection of personal data from kids under 13 without parental consent. The DoJ's complaint highlighted that Disney targeted ads toward these young viewers, bypassing necessary privacy protections. The Federal Trade Commission initially investigated the issue before passing it to the Justice Department, which found that Disney did not appropriately designate its popular content for children. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring parental control over children's data. The settlement not only imposes a significant financial penalty but also requires Disney to implement a program to comply with COPPA regulations going forward. This case is part of a broader trend of scrutiny over how major platforms handle children's data. Hackread.com previously reported on a lawsuit against Roblox for allegedly using covert methods to collect data from young users. Disney's situation underscores the increasing pressure on large companies to adhere to privacy laws designed to protect children.