Does Google collect biometric data about children?

An American father of two school children has filed a law suit against Google alleging violation of privacy when collecting voice prints, face scans and other personal data from children.  The father is now demanding compensation and that Google destroys all biometric data already collected from children/students. The father argues that Google is violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), a federal law, as well as the Biometric Data Protection Act (BIPA) in the state of Illinois, where the family resides. The Act under federal law prohibits internet companies from collecting personal data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent, and the Illinois Act prohibits the collection of biometric data, including facial recognition scans and voice prints without the user’s consent. 

The core of this case is Google’s educational programs and Chromebooks, which have been distributed to students. Among others it is alleged that Google’s “G Suite for Education” platform instructs children to speak into Chromebook microphones and look into the camera in order to collect biometric data. According to the father, Google has never disclosed which data are collected, how long it is stored and for which purposes. At this stage, the date for delivery of judgment is unknown.