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A group of Democratic lawmakers have expressed “serious concerns” about the fact that Facebook Inc . (NASDAQ 🙂 has plans to launch a new version of its Instagram photo sharing tool designed specifically for children.
What Happened: Last Monday, Edward Markey (Democratic Party Senator from Massachusetts) and Richard Blumenthal (Democratic Party Senator from Connecticut), as well as House of Representatives Lori Trahan (Massachusetts) and Kathy Castor (Florida) ) wrote a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, asking him to reveal more details about the company’s plan regarding a version of Instagram for users under the age of 13.
“Given Facebook’s previous failures to protect children and in light of the evidence that the use of Instagram could pose a threat to the well-being of young users, we have serious concerns about this proposal,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. .
Lawmakers cited the example of Facebook’s Messenger Kids app, aimed at children between the ages of six and 12, which had a major design flaw that allowed children to join group chats with people their parents had not approved of.
The letter also raised several questions, including how Facebook will process the private data of young users and whether the platform will always be completely free of targeted advertising. In addition, they asked Facebook to commit not to sell or share user data with third parties for commercial purposes.
Lawmakers noted that if Facebook’s goal is to decrease the number of young users on its current Instagram platform, it should invest in measures to do so directly. Facebook’s alternative approach “poses serious challenges and could do more harm than good,” they added.
The letter asks Facebook to provide answers to the series of questions by April 26.
Why it matters: Facebook acquired Instagram nearly a decade ago for a billion dollars. This has become one of its most popular products at a time when its main social network has not achieved all the success that the company would have liked among younger users. Currently, Instagram requires its users to be over 13 years old.
Facebook plans to launch the new version of Instagram for kids as part of its efforts to entice younger generations to try its popular products. The company has stated that it wants to include a parent-controlled experience on Instagram so children can stay in touch with their friends and discover new hobbies and interests.
Facebook’s Messenger Kids app, which launched in December 2017, is also targeting tweens. This ad-free app will be activated and contacts will be controlled through the parents’ Facebook accounts, which is a factor that allows the company to circumvent the legal limits that prohibit the use of the platform by children under 13 years of age.
The price movement: On Tuesday, Facebook shares closed almost 0.9% lower at $ 306.26.
Read the article also in Benzinga Spain
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