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Comment on Path reaches settlement with FTC, agrees to pay $800K fine for COPPA violationsparent

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> with the knowledge and consent of their parents/guardians.

Not coincidently that's all COPPA requires. You can run web services tailored to the under-13 set, you just need to collect parental approval for your young users. Facebook and Google don't bother with it because it's a hassle.

This is not quite correct. It requires provable consent from parents, such as a written letter. It's not surprising that online services do not go through this process.

Again, the actual effect of the law is not what's written in it. The actual effect is that internet companies (like my startup) simply ban the under-13 set. And we just register people for bicycle races!

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