On September 30, 2024, the Arkansas Attorney General (AG) announced that it filed case no. 54CV-24, the State of Arkansas, ex rel. Tim Griffin, AG v. Alphabet Inc., XXVI Holdings Inc., Google LLC, and YouTube, LLC (collectively referred to as the defendants), in the Phillips County Circuit Court, alleging deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA).

Background to the complaint

The AG alleged that the defendants negatively impacted the health and safety of Arkansas and its citizens, and unjustly enriched themselves at the expense of the health and well-being of Arkansas youth. According to the AG, the defendants collected unlimited data from users in Arkansas, including location data, search history, activity history, and contact list information, even when users were not actively or directly engaged with one of the defendant's products. Further, YouTube's data policy does not inform users that the more time users spend on YouTube, the more YouTube financially benefits through the delivery of more targeted ads and the ability to learn more about its users. In addition, YouTube does not adequately inform adolescent users and their parents that their data may be sold to third parties. Additionally, YouTube's algorithms push its young users towards content that is violent, sexual, or creates harmful body image issues that can manifest as eating disorders, encourage self-harm, or yield other types of harmful conduct.

The complaint alleged, among other things, that YouTube actively collects data on their youth users' viewing habits and behaviors and uses that data to sell advertisers access to their youth users and others to allow those companies to promote their products. 

The complaint seeks all remedies available, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, civil penalties, damages, restitution, and abatement.

You can read the press release here and the complaint here.