Via its proposed settlement with Google over its Buzz product's privacy flaws, the Federal Trade Commission just sent the social-media industry a message. Bake user privacy protection into your product development. The Commission's critique of Buzz's launch was detailed, reported Rob Pegoraro at the Washington Post: "If you read through its eight-page complaint, you’ll see a focus on the finer … [Read more...] about FTC’s strong message to social media providers
FTC
FTC will look into mobile apps marketing to kids
After news coverage of kids racking up huge iTunes bills for their parents while playing game apps on iPhones and iPod Touches gained and letters from US lawmakers to the Federal Trade Commission about this, the Commission announced it will investigate, Ars Technica reports. In a letter to the FTC, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) wrote that "what may appear in these games to be virtual coins and prizes … [Read more...] about FTC will look into mobile apps marketing to kids
Oz’s tips on location-sharing for teens
Using cellphones for finding out when friends are nearby, for special shopping or dining deals, for discounts from spots where you check in a lot, and for knowing family members are safe and where they're supposed to be is a great thing. And, like all digital technology, it can have its misuses, such as giving out one's location to people for whom, and for whatever reason, that information is not … [Read more...] about Oz’s tips on location-sharing for teens
From do-not-call to do-not-track? FTC says yes
In its just-released preliminary framework for protecting Internet users' privacy, the Federal Trade Commission "suggests implementation of a 'Do Not Track' mechanism" reminiscent of the very successful Do Not Call list it launched in 2003. The do-not-track mechanism, "likely a persistent setting on consumers’ [Web] browsers" would allow consumers to choose "whether to allow the collection of data … [Read more...] about From do-not-call to do-not-track? FTC says yes
Youth privacy study: Should focus be only on parents’ views?
I'm sure Internet industry CEOs who've said or implied that "privacy is dead" are wishing they never had. I am too – but for different reasons. Where online kids are concerned, statements like that break an important global discussion down into a simplistic, binary argument about whether or not companies protect children's privacy. That argument keeps us (parents) focused on the wrong things and … [Read more...] about Youth privacy study: Should focus be only on parents’ views?