Internet sites for children raise concerns on privacy; offering to trade fun for personal details

Article Abstract:

The government and the technology industry are examining commercial World Wide Web site collection of information from children. Questions have arisen since the FTC studied 212 Web sites from Yahooligans, a popular children's Web directory, in Mar 1998. Results from the survey showed that 88% of those sites gathered children's personal data such as names or postal or E-mail addresses. Further details showed that only 23% of the Web sites recommended parental permission before participating, and just 7% promised to inform parents of their actions. The report also says the Web sites's methods of obtaining information include forming prize contests and creating 'imaginary' characters to request more information. FTC officials in Jun 1998 recommended legislation that would restrict the collection of online information from children under 13. Approximately 50 companies and organizations in late Jun 1998 announced that the formation of the Online Privacy Alliance industry group to guard children's online privacy.

Telegraph & other communications, Specialized Telecom Services, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Usage, Internet services, Privacy issue, Privacy, Advertising, Internet/Web technology application, Web sites (World Wide Web), Web sites, Internet/Web advertising, Internet advertising, Advertising (Industry)

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Compuserve was checked by the F.B.I. for indecency

Article Abstract:

A Federal judge chastised the Justice Department during closing arguments on the Communications Decency Act on account of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's review of complaints of indecent materials on CompuServe. At issue was the fact that complaints about online indecency were not meant to be investigated during the law's review in Federal court. The FBI's investigation was cited by Stewart Dalzell, one of the members of the three-judge panel hearing the case, as potentially exemplary of the Decency Act's flaws. The issue surfaced after the Columbus Dispatch reported the FBI's investigation of CompuServe, as prompted by the American Family Assc conservative Christian group, for violation of the Decency Act's provision for not making indecent or sexually explicit material available to children. American Library Assoc, the American Civil Liberties Union and others are fighting to have the Decency Act declared unconstitutional.

Laws, regulations and rules, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Telecommunications regulations, Government communications regulation, Social issue, Social conditions, United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Government Regulation

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Christian group feels Net filter's wrath

Article Abstract:

The American Family Association has encountered a censorship controversy with The Learning Company's popular Cyber Patrol filtering software, which handles its Web pages. Questions center on whether the conservative, Christian group's written condemnation of homosexuality meets the Cyber Patrol definition of intolerance. The association recently discovered that Cyber Patrol organized its Web pages with those of 'intolerant' sites including those of skinheads and white supremacists. Cyber Patrol includes homosexuality among the as many as 12 categories of material that it shields from unsupervised 12-year-old Web surfers. The association defends its position in a deeply religious context and says it does not endorse hatred of homosexuals. Plans call for the association to compare its Web site in Jul 1998 with pro- and anti-gay Web sites in regard to intolerance criteria.

Prepackaged software, Software, Product information, Design and construction, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Internet access software, Product application, Learning Company Inc., American Family Association, Cyber Patrol (Internet access software)

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