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posted by mrpg on Thursday January 31 2019, @04:16AM   Printer-friendly
from the Peeping-tom dept.

Since 2016, Facebook has been paying users ages 13 to 35 up to $20 per month plus referral fees to sell their privacy by installing the iOS or Android "Facebook Research" app. Facebook even asked users to screenshot their Amazon order history page.

[...] Ads for the program run by uTest on Instagram and Snapchat sought teens 13-17 years old for a "paid social media research study." The sign-up page for the Facebook Research program administered by Applause doesn't mention Facebook, but seeks users "Age: 13-35 (parental consent required for ages 13-17)." If minors try to sign-up, they're asked to get their parents' permission with a form that reveal's Facebook's involvement and says "There are no known risks associated with the project, however you acknowledge that the inherent nature of the project involves the tracking of personal information via your child's use of apps. You will be compensated by Applause for your child's participation."

https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/facebook-project-atlas/


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  • (Score: 2) by looorg on Thursday January 31 2019, @05:07AM

    by looorg (578) on Thursday January 31 2019, @05:07AM (#794405)

    sought teens 13-17 years old for a "paid social media research study." The sign-up page for the Facebook Research program administered by Applause doesn't mention Facebook, but seeks users "Age: 13-35 (parental consent required for ages 13-17)."

    This does indeed seem somewhat shady and possibly illegal, could be different from country to country. But I'm quite certain that in most countries children are not allowed to enter into agreements, or deals, of this type. As noted if you are in the 13-17 age range it requires parental consent. Question is in what form? Is it a checkbox or how does said consent appear or work in this context. Signed form that have to be mailed in? Facebook request to the parents? "Hi Mom/Dad, want to let us track everything your child does .. we'll give you candy and $20!". How many kids have accounts that actually show their actual and real age? I'm sure they have an official one but also a "fake" on that they don't want others to know about that might not then show their actual age.

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