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FTC Fines Xanga for Violating Kids' Privacy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the get-your-parents-permission-to-read-this-post dept.

WebHostingGuy writes "As reported by MSNBC, the FTC has fined Xanga.com $1 million dollars for repeatedly allowing children under 13 to sign up for the service without getting their parent's consent. This is the largest penalty ever issued for violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act." From the article: "'Protecting kids' privacy online is a top priority for America's parents, and for the FTC,' FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras said in a statement. 'COPPA requires all commercial Web sites, including operators of social networking sites like Xanga, to give parents notice and obtain their consent before collecting personal information from kids they know are under 13. A million-dollar penalty should make that obligation crystal clear.'" What impact, if any, do you think this will have on other community sites that may not always follow the COPPA statutes?

8 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Children have no rights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thus, they have no rights online. Therefore, this should not be filed under YRO.

    End of message.

    1. Re:Children have no rights by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
      Children have no rights

      That's right. That's why my father always asked me to do these stupid things; "Hey you don't have rights! ONLY OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES!" when he used to whip me while I was working to bring in the money as a 10yo. "When you grow up you can have your own kids who have no rights", he used to say. Oh the fond times we had.

      The older you get, the more rights you get and the less obligations, because you're more human when you're older. When you're a child, you're just an oversized spermazoid that's nagging at your parents head constantly for toys and food and love and stuff... Which you only deserve when you're a REAL human person.

      You could use children to heat you at night, by burning them in the stove, they don't have rights, they can't go to court! Ha! and you can make plenty more of them... LEGALLY! and free...

  2. Proof? by HockeyPuck · · Score: 5, Funny

    How do you prove that a kid got his parent's permission?

    Have your parent click here [__] to proceed.

    1. Re:Proof? by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2, Funny

      My sister once joined a site that required a mailing or faxing of a permission form. I don't know how they would verify that, as much as how they would verify that someone is over 13.

    2. Re:Proof? by bunions · · Score: 5, Funny

      if it's on Rainbow Brite or My Pretty Pony stationary, or if it's written in crayon, you are denied. Otherwise, you're in.

      --
      there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
  3. Re:what does this accomplish by Kesch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, but with a birthdate check instead of just allowing in dishonest preteens, they will only allow in dishonest preteens who can do simple math problems.

    --
    If this signature is witty enough, maybe somebody will like me.
  4. Re:what does this accomplish by WeblionX · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, logically, pornography websites that checks the user's age should be commended on their help of teaching kids basic subtraction? Obviously this means we can cut the education budget since these websites will pick up the slack. Brilliant!

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    (\(\
    (=_=) Bani!
    (")")
  5. Re:what does this accomplish by ubergamer1337 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Your sexist education plan will only educate the men, however...