5 ms·

Yes, COPPA law is very clear and strong, and it would be a criminal act for Google to knowingly host a child's content. The parental permissions required to ho

Yes, COPPA law is very clear and strong, and it would be a criminal act for Google to knowingly host a child's content. The parental permissions required to host children's information are way too costly for mainstream internet services, and even with permission it might not be legal for Google to do some types of marketing towards children.

kenjackson 15y ago
Fighting for the right of Chinese - good. Fighting for the rights of minors - evil.
- Lewisham 15y ago
  Well, this isn't exactly the same thing. Moving out of China was simply a case of turning off the servers there. Should Google try and set itself up in the Cayman Islands? Considering the very large stick Google got beat with in regards to Buzz, I do not think that they are particularly interested in lobbying Capitol Hill for a change. In fact, both they and Apple sat out a congressional hearing on COPPA [1], although I couldn't find the cause. I would expect apathy to the process, as I would think Google would love to be able to sign up more users. [1] http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/95067-lawmakers-hammer-apple-google-for-sitting-out-coppa-hearing http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/95067-la...
  - kenjackson 15y ago
    Google and Apple, frankly seemed indifferent. MS and Facebook both came and basically said that COPPA goes too far, and self-regulation would largely handle the issue (with some exceptions). With that said, I wonder if one could make the case that COPPA is unconstitutional. Hear me out: In the recent video game ruling SCOTUS has said that computer programs (video games) are a form of free speech. And they further said that conveying that free speech to minors w/o parental consent is protected. So web services too are computer programs, and therefore free speech. And like violently deviant video games the ability to convey this speech to minors w/o parental consent is also protected. COPPA overturned! :-)
    - SoftwareMaven 15y ago
      IANAL, but there may be a case there. Unfortunately, nobody with deep enough pockets really loses by not allowing 12 and under in. If nobody is really losing money, nobody is going to spend the money to get to the SCOTUS. Alternatively, Disney has managed to allow my under 13 kids in without any problems. All it took was my email address. Google could, too, if they cared.

kenjackson 15y ago

Fighting for the right of Chinese - good. Fighting for the rights of minors - evil.

Lewisham 15y ago
Well, this isn't exactly the same thing. Moving out of China was simply a case of turning off the servers there. Should Google try and set itself up in the Cayman Islands? Considering the very large stick Google got beat with in regards to Buzz, I do not think that they are particularly interested in lobbying Capitol Hill for a change. In fact, both they and Apple sat out a congressional hearing on COPPA [1], although I couldn't find the cause. I would expect apathy to the process, as I would think Google would love to be able to sign up more users. [1] http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/95067-lawmakers-hammer-apple-google-for-sitting-out-coppa-hearing http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/95067-la...
- kenjackson 15y ago
  Google and Apple, frankly seemed indifferent. MS and Facebook both came and basically said that COPPA goes too far, and self-regulation would largely handle the issue (with some exceptions). With that said, I wonder if one could make the case that COPPA is unconstitutional. Hear me out: In the recent video game ruling SCOTUS has said that computer programs (video games) are a form of free speech. And they further said that conveying that free speech to minors w/o parental consent is protected. So web services too are computer programs, and therefore free speech. And like violently deviant video games the ability to convey this speech to minors w/o parental consent is also protected. COPPA overturned! :-)
  - SoftwareMaven 15y ago
    IANAL, but there may be a case there. Unfortunately, nobody with deep enough pockets really loses by not allowing 12 and under in. If nobody is really losing money, nobody is going to spend the money to get to the SCOTUS. Alternatively, Disney has managed to allow my under 13 kids in without any problems. All it took was my email address. Google could, too, if they cared.