According to the agency, Meta misled parents about their ability to control who their children can communicate with through the Messenger Kids app, and the social technology company has also been alleged of misrepresenting the access it gave to some app developers to users' private data
The US FTC proposes changes to its 2020 privacy order with Meta to ensure new protections for children. (Credit: Carol M. Highsmith/Wikimedia Commons)
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing to completely restrict Meta from monetising data of children and teens under 18, alleging that the Facebook parent company has violated the agency’s 2020 privacy order.
According to the US federal agency, Meta has misled parents about their ability to control who their children can communicate through the Messenger Kids app. Meta has also been alleged by the FTC of misrepresenting the access it gave to some app developers to users’ private data.
FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said: “Facebook has repeatedly violated its privacy promises. The company’s recklessness has put young users at risk, and Facebook needs to answer for its failures.”
The Commission has proposed changes to its 2020 privacy order with Meta to ensure new protections for children and teens.
The proposed changes are applicable to the data the company collects, which includes through its virtual reality products and others.
Meta would also face expanded limitations, including in its deployment of facial recognition technology, while needing to deliver further security to its users.
As part of the proposed changes, Meta will be restricted from introducing new or modified products, services, or features without the assessor’s written confirmation.
The confirmation will have to state that the privacy programme conforms with the order’s requirements and exhibits no material gaps or flaws.
The FTC said that it is the third time the agency has taken action against the company for allegedly failing to protect users’ privacy.
The first complaint against Facebook was filed in 2011 and the agency secured an order in the following year.
In 2019, the company agreed to a second order that took effect in 2020 by resolving allegations that it violated the FTC’s first order. Meta was required to pay a $5bn civil fine under the 2020 privacy order.
Meta’s latest action has violated the 2020 order and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule (COPPA Rule), said the US FTC.
The Commission has asked the social technology company to respond in 30 days to the proposed findings from the agency’s investigation.