C.O.P.P.A
C.O.P.P.A
Saturday, November 23, 2019 - 16:31
with January fast approaching and the coppa law taking effect and changes being made to YouTube I wondered how some of us are going to approach it. I know technically this topic isn't strictly art related but a lot of us use YouTube to show gameplay footage of our game projects, and obviously gaming channels and such are in some sort of doubt because of the new changes. I don't want this to be a thread about ranting at COPPA, but how these changes may effect your marketing, showcasing, and anything else you think worth mentioning.
do you have some links to information about COPPA for people who may not be familiar with it?
--Medicine StormSure.:)
https://www.pcgamer.com/youtubes-ftc-compliance-system-for-kids-content-...
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/privacy-and-security/chi...
Chasersgaming | Support | Monstropolis |
It's definitely a tricky situation because the new rules are somewhat vague. I did plan on making a game trailer for one of our projects that featured the kids so that would have to be declared as made for kids. The confusion for me is if you upload gameplay footage of a project that appeals to everyone i.e. without blood or adult themes, is that declared as made for kids? Or do you just wait and see if the YouTube algorithm picks it up and changes it for you?
I think monetisation is the biggest issue for most, technically creating a video showcasing gameplay for one of your projects with an 'adult' theme and mark it as not for kids would be fine, i mean moneytising the video isn't here nor there, i think what would/could be a problem is lets say its a 'Pixel art' game with an adult theme, you mark it 'not for kids' and then someone from the FTC says, 'it's pixel art', and are at the conclusion that this is 'aimed for kids', you have marked your video incorrectly, and as a result you have broken the C.O.P.P.A law, so we are now going to fine you UPTO $42,000 (per video). 'Im sure there could be may examples, not just pixel art. The FTC's stance on 'What is for kids' is like you say is vague, so its incrdible hard to establish what is right or wrong, you say its not for kids, they say it is, you say it is for kids, they say it isn't. very much a catch 22 situation i think. Marking something for kids, i think will disabled a lot of features for that video, no embeding to other sites, such as here or even itch, no comments for feedback, or even link sharing.
Maybe another video site? but wont they be subject to the same law. I'm in the UK, we don't have the FTC, but we do have something simular, the GDPR i think its called, but i don't think exactly the same, not yet anyway.
Youtubes algorythum may pick things up in time, but the liability for videos now fall on the creator/owner not youtube come January 1st.
Ths sad thing is i don't think all this was because of the content in the videos, it was more of the data being colllected from the videos and the directed ad's, which didn't have the parental permissions for under 13's. Youtubes algorithm was doing this, not the channel author.
Chasersgaming | Support | Monstropolis |
Damn... I didn't realise there would be no sharing or embeds.....that sucks. The FTC is not the problem. They normally wouldn't go after people who make content for a wide audience. It says as much in the documentation about these Coppa laws. Only those that are trying to deceive or exploit children (like youtube). It is YouTube who are up to no good in this situation. Common sense dictates that there are more than two ways to classify a video but they refuse to restructure the site to accomodate those creators whose audience falls in between mature and under 13. Who knows why? But I can bet it has something to do with predicted profit margins.... That being said other video hosting websites do fall under the same law but should be fine if they operate properly. I guess you should always read the fine print when signing up. Something I have never done .... Until now :)
The law is the law. :)
'Only those that are trying to decieve or exploit children(youtube)'
hmmm, i wouldn't say thats totally Youtube. The law has always been there. Youtube, and Facebook, and twitter and other sites like that have a minuim age of 13 to have an account with these platforms. this meant that parental permissions wasn't all that necessary, or 'avoidable' because they were at an age where they could grant there own permissions when they signed up. BUT users under the age of 13 were deceiving youtube when signing by lying about there age. (weve all done it, and i'm sure there are a few of us who have children know that they have a youtube account or watch it). that is not really youtubes fault IMO. That said, you don't have to have a youtube accout to watch the content on there, and those algorythims were still running there usual routine regardless of who was using youtube.
the FTC fined youtube for this 'Breach' of law, but the settlement was youtube to pay $170 million, and restucture youtube to meet the COPPA law, and create a new algorythim, which is whats happening.
Knowing this, i wonder how we game developers are going to go about how we show our gameplay content videos that are on youtube now and in the future. Is this going to effect the marketing strategies? are the 'Lets Play' video reviews going to effect our games coverage? Is there a lesser reach for indiedevs? or is it no big deal?
Chasersgaming | Support | Monstropolis |
I reckon YouTube got a slap on the wrist from the FTC for not actively taking measures to stop kids under 13 making accounts or parents logging in for said children. They knew all along they were breaching the law with the targeted ads and data collection. They did however fail to highlight this and pass on the information which has resulted in content creators setting up shop and making a living under false pretences. Now the law is being enforced the consequences come as a shock to content creators who didn't know about Coppa which is most people I would imagine. Just for the record i believe we did actually land on the moon and it wasn't just filmed in a Hollywood studio :)
I would say its a huge deal. As you mentioned above, under the new rules the video becomes unsearchable,unlinkable and pretty much invisible to most :( It's unlikely you would get a fine (?) if youtube disagrees with your target audience. Surely the FTC wouldn't just take the word of the algorithm and review each case....but stranger things have happened I guess. like landing on the moon :)
The bigger problem for Indie devs might be the effect it has on those review or lets play channels. A decent size channel that has influence is definetely a full time job for multiple people with overheads. If they incur lots of false positives from the algorithm (i.e. get caught up in that catch 22 situation) or even get fined the channel will just disappear from lack of revenue. For Indie devs the advertising possibilities and avenues could reduce a fair bit.
Less Indie videos and more Fortnite...oh the horror of it all :O
Although I have seen a lot of talk around the web about the broadly worded legislation allowing for some really crappy overreach, I did find this video that seemed helpful (and from an IP lawyer).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tgYc1LB-E
--Medicine Storm@MedicineStorm, good video, definatly some scare mongery going on and a few freaking out, i just hope it doesn't ripple down and particular youtubers stop creating videos on indiegames or slowdown as a result because that would be a shame. Youtubers making 'Lets Play' videos or simular really does help the reach of those games. I'm sure it will die down eventually and normal service will resume a few months into the new year. Be interesting to see what the effects may or may not be. :)
Thanks for finding and sharing the video! :)
Chasersgaming | Support | Monstropolis |