OTTAWA – The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) today published an open letter to Facebook urging the social media giant not to launch the “Facebook Messenger Kids” app in Canada. PIAC’s letter points to the collection and retention of young users’ actual communications by Facebook, without a clear rationale, something that PIAC claims may, along with other flaws, violate Canadian privacy laws.
“This is not a toy,” said John Lawford, Executive Director and General Counsel of PIAC. “It is a sophisticated social networking tool with significantly intrusive data collection – and it’s intended for kids – who cannot even consent to it themselves.” The letter raises a number of concerns that Facebook Messenger Kids, as presently structured, may violate Canadian privacy laws.
“We are asking Facebook not to launch Messenger Kids in Canada until they are sure it respects Canadian privacy laws and the privacy of Canadian parents and children,” added Lawford. “As it works now, we cannot see how it can operate and do both.”
For more information, please contact:
John Lawford
Executive Director & General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
office: (613) 562-4002 ×25
Cell: (613) 447-8125
lawford@piac.ca
www.piac.ca