Last month, YouTube launched an app , called YouTube Kids, for children in the US.
The app delivers content tailored for young minds, and includes TV shows and cartoons.
However it appears that the app has been drawing some criticism for pushing ads into its feed. And if you think that’s bad, wait till you hear this. The ads apparently feature characters from shows that are available within the app. The practice of broadcasting ads which feature the same characters as the ones on the shows, is actually banned in the U.S.
The app also delivers Toy-unboxing videos, but those aren’t marked as ads. This has led to some consumer and child advocacy groups to jointly send a letter to the US Federal Trade Commission, requesting it to investigate the YouTube Kids app.
A YouTube spokesperson slammed the move, saying:
“We worked with numerous partners and child advocacy groups when developing YouTube Kids. While we are always open to feedback on ways to improve the app, we were not contacted directly by the signers of this letter and strongly disagree with their contentions.”
