FTC Can Reopen Child Privacy Investigation Against Meta
By Movieguide® Contributor
Earlier this week, a court ruled that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can reopen a 2020 probe into Meta’s protection of minors’ data despite the company’s claims that it has complied with previous stipulations.
The probe is a continuation of an inquiry by the FTC in 2020 that led to a $5 billion fine after the commission found Meta was knowingly profiting off of the sale of minors’ data.
“[Meta] has failed to comply with the [2020] order, misled parents about their ability to control with whom their children communicated through its Messenger Kids app, and misrepresented the access it provided some app developers to private user data,” the reopened probe claimed last May, noting that Meta’s practices also violate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
After the FTC announced it was reopening the case, Meta brought the issue to court, claiming it has complied with the 2020 stipulations, including the payment of a $5 billion fine.
The U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. ruled the FTC was allowed to reopen its probe because the privacy concerns “implicate importance [to] public interests.” The ruling also noted that Meta would be allowed to challenge the FTC’s new ruling following the close of the probe.
Meta, however, believes the probe is unjust and breaks the stipulations agreed upon in the 2020 settlement. Furthermore, it believes the ruling from the new probe could “curtail Meta’s development of new products, superintend Meta’s corporate governance, and impair Meta’s ability to serve its users and advertisers.”
This argument is a continuation of how the company responded when the probe was reopened last May. Meta alleged that the probe was baseless and antagonistic against a company that has complied with every request to guarantee the safety of children on its platforms.
Movieguide® previously reported:
The FTC is accusing Meta of failing to comply with a 2020 privacy order, misleading users about how their personal information is collected and used, as well as misrepresenting its child safety features.
In 2020, Meta was slammed with a $5 billion fine for failure to provide transparency about its business practices. The company was punished for misleading users about their privacy for years.
The FTC announced on Wednesday that Meta “has failed to fully comply with the [2020] order, misled parents about their ability to control with whom their children communicated through its messenger Kids app, and misrepresented the access it provided some app developers to private user data.”
The announcement also alleges that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
