YouTube News

California enabled adults from family vlogs to demand footage takedowns

Senate Bill 1247 targets monetized channels where a minor appeared in at least 30 percent of posts and takes effect in January 2027.

Senate Bill 1247 will let Californians who turned 18 demand that parents, guardians, or relatives pull down social video that used them as minors on channels built around family life. The measure applies when those relatives earned money from the posts, including YouTube ad revenue, brand deals, Super Chat, or merch tied to the account.

Occasional cameos do not qualify. The requester must have shown up in at least 30 percent of the vlogger's output while under 18. The law does not cover classmates or party guests who merely appeared in a single upload.

After a valid notice, the family member has 10 days to delete the material or edit out the requester. If the clips stay up, violators owe $3,000 per day, plus possible damages, injunctions, and attorney fees. Compliant takedowns carry no penalty.

YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms must offer a clear way for those adults to ask for removal. Sites without a built-in form must accept requests themselves and pass them to the vlogger within three days.

The rules start in January 2027 and apply retroactively to years of family uploads on YouTube.