Daily Mail
October 4, 2018
Facebook has been illegally collecting data on children in its Messenger Kids app, according to a coalition of child and consumer advocacy groups.
The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and other groups asked the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday to investigate the kid-centric messaging app for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
The groups argue Facebook has violated federal law by collecting kids’ information without obtaining consent from their parents.
According to the complaint, Messenger Kids does not meet COPPA requirements because it doesn’t try to ensure that the person who sets up the kids’ account and gives consent to have their data collected is the actual parent.
In fact, the groups say, someone could set up a brand new, fictional account and immediately approve a kid’s account without proving their age or identity.
Facebook said Wednesday it hasn’t yet reviewed the complaint letter.
This article was posted: Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 6:02 am
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