On 17 Jul 2000, 11:24, Chuq Von Rospach wrote:
> FYI --
>
> <http://www.directmag.com/content/newsline/main.html#81>
>
> This one hasn't gotten much (if any) real press, but has the
> potential to set some really important legal precedents. I think it has
> the potential to really define a lot of issues, depending on how it
> plays out.
#81 points to COPPA. Was that the article to which you were addressing?
COPPA, as you know, is a law designed to hold others besides the
parents, responsible for the raising and protection of children. Our
Government, in it's wisdom, recognized that too many parents were still
clueless as to the privacy evils that lurk on the Internet to provide
their children proper guidance. So here comes our Federal Government
to the rescue as surrogate parents.
I read of one site operator that indicated that paying the fines would
be less costly than implementing the directive. I've read of costs in
the hundreds of thousands of dollars just to meet full compliance with
the law.
Sites that primarily target children under 13 are going to be hardest
hit. Sites that target whole families, are now putting up a disclaimer
that children under 13 may not signup for their services, even those
services that appeal to children -- to the anger of many children. I
wonder if that alone will escape the vigilance of the Federal Trade
Commission?
Disney is now requiring a credit card from the parents of 12 year olds
and under when the youngster wishes to sign up for free services. I
would not think that would go over well with most parents. I know I
would not give my credit card in such an instance.
In the long run, the law will prove useless and ineffective save for
the youngest of the children. Most 10, 11 and 12 year old children can
beat any verification barricades that a site may put in place. The end
result of the law will simply be to put many small sites out of
business in favor of the big rich sites, like Disney that can afford
the means of verification. That is where we are headed, anyway, COPPA
or no COPPA.
Alan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
