After CARU recommended that Facebook, Inc. modify its mobile app to improve its mechanism to prevent underage users from circumventing the age screen, Facebook complied and made the necessary changes. Historically websites have used session cookies to prevent children from going back and changing their age, but until CARU examined its mobile app, Facebook did not implement a mechanism to prevent children from circumventing the age screen. Previously on the app, when a registrant entered a birthday corresponding to an age younger than 13, a message denied registration. However, the registrant was immediately able to change the originally-entered date of birth and continue attempts until a valid age was chosen that allowed registration.
Although mobile technology is still developing and companies are working hard to adapt traditional privacy principles to this new age, CARU Director, Dona J. Fraser said, “We are pleased that Facebook now becomes the first company working with CARU to implement this requirement in the mobile environment.” Fraser believes it is time for the Federal Trade Commission to reexamine this issue in light of the ever-growing mobile technology environment. CARU will continue to update its Guidelines and work with regulators and industry to ensure that the online environment is safe for children.
For more information, check out the press release about CARU's inquiry with Facebook.
Or check out this article about kids privacy and Facebook in MediaPost.