The United States Consumer Protection Agency (the FTC) has just condemned Xbox to a fine of 20 million dollars.
The American giant has been a bit too curious about the personal data of players under 13. We explain to you.
$20 million fine for Microsoft
At the end of 2022, Epic Games received a record fine for implementing default settings deemed privacy-invasive, as well as deceptive interfaces, which trapped Fortnite users, including teenagers and children. . Today, the Federal Trade Commission has just announced that the giant Microsoft has in turn been fined because of its Xbox division. The fine in question amounts to 20 million dollars “only”, the American group being accused of having collected the personal data of children and adolescents under the age of 13.
New measures already in place, and more to come
Indeed, until 2021, it was possible for a child to create an Xbox account, without having to seek the assistance or permission of a parent. Microsoft then retained this data (sometimes for years), even if the account had not been created, which is a violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).
For Samuel Levine, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection: “ Decision makes it easier for parents to protect their children’s data privacy on Xbox and limits what information Microsoft can collect and store about minors “.
For its part, Microsoft has already taken note of the decision and announced various measures to optimize security, including new methods for validating the age of players.
” We’re integrating the insights Microsoft has gained across all industries to craft a new approach to securing digital identities that minimizes data collection, prioritizes security, and makes it easier for gamers to understand how their data is used “, explains the American giant.
Source : Kotaku
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