Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner will reportedly fine Instagram for its handling of children’s data. According to an investigation that began in 2020, Instagram published emails and phone numbers for children ages 13 to 17 who operated business accounts. Business accounts typically post this information by default. Meta, Instagram’s parent, plans to appeal the €405 million
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Privacy Tip #344 – Advocacy Groups Urge Senators to Advance Bills Protecting Children’s Data
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Children's Privacy, Privacy Tips
Provider groups and privacy advocates have joined together to put pressure on Congress to pass two bipartisan bills designed to bolster children and teens’ privacy.
The Kids Online Safety Act (S. 3663) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (S. 1628) were both passed out of the Senate subcommittee with bipartisan support. That’s…
Privacy Tip #219 – Holiday Shopping Tip for Internet-Connected Gifts
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Internet of Things, Privacy Tips
Holiday shopping is in full gear and everything seems to be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. It continues to amaze me how folks will buy IoT gadgets and plop them in their homes and have no idea that they include a speaker or camera, recording every move and word, or that they pose a…
Privacy Tip #189 – Online Dating
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Children's Privacy, Privacy Tips
As someone who has been married a long time (longer than the Internet has existed), I never experienced the online dating scene. Everyone has their own opinion on the topic, and without getting into the merits of online dating, there is risk for children, which is the subject of this privacy tip.
The Federal Trade…
Privacy Tip #179 – Your Children’s Online Activity
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Privacy Tips
Parents have historically struggled with how to address their children’s online activity. Parenting styles differ, but most parents understand that monitoring and supervising their children’s online activity is important and necessary.
There is a federal law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, (aka, COPPA) that applies to the online activities of children under the age…
FBI Issues Warning about Internet-Connected Toys
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Children's Privacy, Cybersecurity
We previously reported about the microphone and video capabilities of Echo technology [view related post]. The FBI is also concerned about this technology being used in toys that are connected to the Internet.
The FBI is so concerned that yesterday, it issued a Public Service Announcement that warns consumers that Internet-connected toys “could present…
Privacy Tip #8 – How teachers can assist students to be safe online
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Children's Privacy, Privacy Tips
It is scary to read the headlines that kids become victims of crimes, some of them horrific, because of online activity. Kids are naive and susceptible to online predators. Parents must be vigilant in educating their children about online activity and teachers can reinforce lessons learned at home to help kids stay safe.
How can…