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Amazon Calls Children's Privacy Complaint Groundless

Posted by timothy on from the you-mean-kids-have-privacy dept.

theodp writes "Eleven groups, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center and Junkbusters, filed a complaint with the FTC, asking that it investigate Amazon for violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. An Amazon spokesman called the complaint groundless because "Amazon.com is not a site directed at children." So what was the deal with those Amazon Press Releases for the Harry Potter Magical Candy Contest For Children Ages 6 to 13, Toy Quest Toy Design Contest For Kids 12 And Under, and the Be a Poet Contest For All Kids 12 and Under?" Update: 04/23 23:54 GMT by T :theodp writes with an update from Ad Age which says that Amazon has "announced it has removed children's identifying information from its Web sites."

5 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. Virus by tacokill · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perhaps it was the virus....

    Amazon Tech: "We just can't get rid of this damn thing"

  2. And what about by B3ryllium · · Score: 4, Funny

    And what about "The story of ping"?

    Ages 4-8.

  3. Patents by Jason1729 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Amazon.com can get out of this just by using their normal business strategy. Patent protecting children online. Then they can counter-sue all these groups for violating the patent.

    I hope Bezos doesn't read slashdot, I don't want to give him any ideas.

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

  4. Amazon: worse then Hitler? by sssmashy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Amazon is letting children 12 years old and younger post reviews of toy products without their parents' consent.

    How dare they allow my little angels to post a toy review without my express consent! I shudder to think of how many children will have their innocence corrupted because they are exposed to speech that has not been censored by a vigilant adult.

    Even worse, they may expose themselves to predators online if they are allowed to post without parental approval. You know: "My name is Jimmy and I think this toy is real neat and I live with my parents in the big red house on the corner of Mulberry Street and the back door is unlocked." That kind of thing. Perhaps we should block our children from accessing websites altogether: it's a dangerous world out there.

  5. Re:I hate it when I'm not rooting for the underdog by glitch! · · Score: 4, Funny

    One can ask for dob, but I don't see how you can validate it. How do you prove that the dob is not false.

    You can ask three questions (that adults can answer), just like at the beginning of Leisure Suite Larry :-)

    --
    A dingo ate my sig...