Facebook had launched a messenger app for children – called Messenger Kids in the US last year and later introduced the app in various other countries by the following year. Designed to be safe for children under the age of 12 years, the Messenger Kids app gives children the filtered content they won’t be affected with, and also their parents can monitor their usage. The social media giant launched this new integration with four strong principles – ‘Be Kind’, ‘Be Respectful’, ‘Be Safe’, and ‘Have Fun’. Nokia 7.1 Smartphone With PureDisplay Launched; Price, Features, Specifications: All You Need to Know.
Now, Facebook has been again questioned on their privacy and security norms, but this time it’s the Messenger Kids app. The app, which has been stated to abide with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) has been accused of having an incomplete privacy policy by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC). Motorola One Power Smartphone First Online Sale Today at 12 PM via Flipkart.
The mission of CCFC is educating the people about commercialism's impact on kids' wellbeing and advocates for the end of child-targeted marketing. The national organisation filed a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and take action against Facebook’s flawed privacy norms. The complaint filed by the CCFC said, "Facebook Messenger Kids' privacy policy is incomplete and vague, because any adult user can approve any account created in the app and "even a fictional 'parent' holding a brand-new Facebook account could immediately approve a child's account without proof of identity." Facebook Account Now Will Be Deleted Permanently in 30 Days; Deletion Grace Period Increase.
The US organisation - CCFC further stated that they had even tested the vulnerability of the Messenger Kids app by setting up a fake FB account and giving permission to a fictional Messenger Kids user. The entire process took them a matter of five minutes and proved their point that anyone can approve the child’s account. Apple and Amazon Caught In Elaborate Spy-ware Attack By China: Bloomberg.
Facebook designed the messenger app in such a way that the children will be able to register with their parent’s consent only. The group further warns the parents to keep their children away from the applications, on which the CCFC executive director Josh Golin stated, "They tell parents that Messenger Kids was designed to be safe for children, but they don't even comply with the most basic privacy requirements of the law. The best choice for parents is clear: keep young kids away from Facebook.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2018 01:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).