Consumer rights groups are set to file a complaint against YouTube at the US Federal Trade Commission claiming that it is violating the law by harvesting data of children aged under 13.

Google-owned YouTube claims that its service is for children aged older than 13 but figures suggest that its main website is one of the most popular among children aged 8-12 in the US.

More than 20 campaign groups including the Center for Digital Democracy allege that YouTube makes large sums of money by collecting identifiable information on under 13s including geolocation, types of devices used, mobile phone numbers and browsing habits to identify people over time across different websites.

In the US, the law states that companies collecting any data on children this age must notify their parents and obtain consent.

Josh Golin, of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, said: "For years, Google has abdicated its responsibility to kids and families by disingenuously claiming YouTube - a site rife with popular cartoons, nursery rhymes and toy ads - is not for children under 13.

"Google profits immensely by delivering ads to kids and must comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. It is time for the Federal Trade Commission to hold Google accountable for its illegal data collection and advertising practices".