A vulnerability in Children's Online Privacy Protection Act's Messenger Kids app meant children could enter group chats with friends-of-friends who have not been approved by parents. The error, which the company has now patched, allowed its six to 12 year old users to speak to strangers without the consent of parents. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act has notified the parents of users, but did not specify how long the flaw had been active. Messenger Kids has previously come under fire as it potentially does not comply with the US's Facebook, as there is no way to verify that the consent provider is the child's guardian.
A vulnerability in Facebook's Messenger Kids app meant children could enter group chats with friends-of-friends who have not been approved by parents. The error, which the company has now patched, allowed its six to 12 year old users to speak to strangers without the consent of parents. Facebook has notified the parents of users, but did not specify how long the flaw had been active. Messenger Kids has previously come under fire as it potentially does not comply with the US's Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, as there is no way to verify that the consent provider is the child's guardian.