LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear LM_NET:
I forwarded Heidi's e-mail to a friend of mine at Microsoft who works in their
Internet division
to get a response to Heidi's question. This is his reply to my e-mail request and
he said I
could share his answer with our group.
Peter G. Mohn, LMS
Snohomish Freshman Campus
Snohomish, WA
pmohn@eskimo.com
Stuart Klingman wrote:
> Microsoft isn't the problem here, the government is.
> Microsoft is just doing what they're required to do.
>
> The real problem is that this is a really bad law, and there are only a few
> acceptable methods of meeting the criteria. While anti-Microsoft people will
> no doubt dance with glee and wring their hands with joy at having to enter a
> CREDIT CARD for a FREE SERVICE, the truth is, as usual, more mundane that
> the exclamation riddled e-mail implies. <<sorry, it's a peeve of mine, that
> overuse of exclamation points to invoke urgency... it just bugs me.>>
>
> BTW, I'm surprised that as Educators, you haven't been required to learn
> about the joys of COPPA. It will directly affect what kids are able to
> access on the internet.
>
> Sucky Law URL:
> http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1999/9910/childfinal.htm
>
> The relevant parts pertain, according to lawyers, to Hotmail and Chat rooms,
>
> which pose the greatest risk for direct harm to children:
>
> "Verifiable Parental Consent
>
> The final rule temporarily adopts a "sliding scale" approach that allows Web
> sites to vary their consent methods based on the intended uses of the
> child's information. For a two-year period, use of the more reliable methods
> of consent (print-and-send via postal mail or facsimile, use of a credit
> card or toll-free telephone number, digital signature, or e-mail accompanied
> by a PIN or password) will be required only for those activities that pose
> the greatest risks to the safety and privacy of children -- i.e., disclosing
> personal information to third parties or making it publicly available
> through chatrooms or other interactive activities. "
>
> unfortunately, hotmail is considered an interactive activity by lawyers, and
> humans just have to take their word for it.
>
> Credit cards are, based on usability studies, the easiest and most
> universally available methods of adult confirmation, and thus, the first
> option presented. I believe that other options are also available if the
> parent doesn't have a credit card, such as faxing in proof by driver's
> license, etc.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter G. Mohn [mailto:pmohn@eskimo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 8:29 PM
> To: Poker Gang
> Subject: [EastSideSocialClub] [Fwd: TARGET: Hotmail policy re:under 13
> yrs?]
>
> Why does Microsoft ask for a Credit Card number for a free Hotmail account for
>minors?
>
> Heidi wrote:
>
> > I work at the public library a few hours a week in addition to my prison
> > library job. Tonight when I came on the reference desk, the person
> > before me shared with me a problem that a patron earlier in the day
> > encountered when trying to sign up her 13 year old son for a Hotmail
> > account. I tested this myself, using my dog's birthday...my kids are
> > too old!!:-o
> >
> > I got a message that asked if a parent was with me and when I put yes I
> > got a screen that asked the parent to sign in and verify they are an
> > adult by giving a valid credit card number!! Of course it said "there
> > is no charge for this service"!! When I said No it gave me a screen and
> > asked for my "parent's" e-mail address and then I was sent an e-mail
> > asking me to go to the link that again asked for me to sign in and give
> > a credit card number!
> >
> > It says, "A new United States federal law requires Hotmail to receive
> > parental consent before it can collect personally identifiable
> > information from your child. As a result, your child needs your consent
> > to register for an account at this site or to access an account that was
> > created prior to April 21, 2000. To provide your consent, follow these
> > steps:..."
> >
> > OK, my questions to the group are: Has anyone encounted this as a
> > problem with their students(elementary and middle school aged I
> > suspect!)? What is the significance of the April 21, 2000 date? How
> > can this really work when the parent involved today already solved the
> > problem by just saying her child was older than he really is? and Are
> > any of the other "free" e-mail services doing this?
> >
> > Thanks for the input. I told my coworker here at the public library
> > that I would ask some friends that worked with "lots of kids"!!
> >
> > Heidi Rawson-Ketchum, Librarian
> > Unnamed-Prison/Branch District-Public
> > both in Coldwater, MI
> > rawsonkehl@cbpu.com
> >
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