Facebook’s Messenger Kids failed to do its only job
Users of the app could still join adult group chats or accept chat requests without their guardians’ knowledge
According to researchers, parents should find a balanced way to monitor their children's internet use. PHOTO: AFP
Facebook released a messenger app in 2017 tailor-made for kids so that their guardians could keep check of who they were chatting with.
Turns out, the app failed to do the only thing it was meant for. It was found recently that users of the app could still join adult group chats or accept chat requests without their guardians’ knowledge.
Last week, Facebook sent out messages warning guardians of the error in the design and that it is closing such chats.
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“Hi [PARENT],
We found a technical error that allowed [CHILD]’s friend [FRIEND] to create a group chat with [CHILD] and one or more of [FRIEND]’s parent-approved friends. We want you to know that we’ve turned off this group chat and are making sure that group chats like this won’t be allowed in the future. If you have questions about Messenger Kids and online safety, please visit our Help Center and Messenger Kids parental controls. We’d also appreciate your feedback,” the message read.
“We recently notified some parents of Messenger Kids account users about a technical error that we detected affecting a small number of group chats. We turned off the affected chats and provided parents with additional resources on Messenger Kids and online safety,” Facebook said on the matter.
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Further details on the issue such as the number of children who fell prey to this flaw are still not known.
The messenger app is available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and Peru. A complaint was filed to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by a privacy group in 2018 in which it accused the app of compromising kids’ privacy and not abiding by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).
Those who want to know whether or not their child has been affected by the flaw can view the guide provided by Lifehacker.
This article originally appeared on TNW.
Turns out, the app failed to do the only thing it was meant for. It was found recently that users of the app could still join adult group chats or accept chat requests without their guardians’ knowledge.
Last week, Facebook sent out messages warning guardians of the error in the design and that it is closing such chats.
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“Hi [PARENT],
We found a technical error that allowed [CHILD]’s friend [FRIEND] to create a group chat with [CHILD] and one or more of [FRIEND]’s parent-approved friends. We want you to know that we’ve turned off this group chat and are making sure that group chats like this won’t be allowed in the future. If you have questions about Messenger Kids and online safety, please visit our Help Center and Messenger Kids parental controls. We’d also appreciate your feedback,” the message read.
“We recently notified some parents of Messenger Kids account users about a technical error that we detected affecting a small number of group chats. We turned off the affected chats and provided parents with additional resources on Messenger Kids and online safety,” Facebook said on the matter.
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Further details on the issue such as the number of children who fell prey to this flaw are still not known.
The messenger app is available in the US, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, and Peru. A complaint was filed to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by a privacy group in 2018 in which it accused the app of compromising kids’ privacy and not abiding by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).
Those who want to know whether or not their child has been affected by the flaw can view the guide provided by Lifehacker.
This article originally appeared on TNW.