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Facebook’s plans to open Instagram for under-13s spark concerns for children’s privacy

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Amnesty International has warned Facebook‘s plans to develop a special version of Instagram for children under the age of 13 are tantamount to “profiting” from exploitative harvesting of children’s data.

“Facebook poses one of the biggest threats when it comes to children’s privacy,” said Rasha Abdul-Rahim, co-director of Amnesty Tech, an arm of the nonprofit Amnesty International.

“Increasing safeguards for children online is paramount, but the fact remains that Facebook will be harvesting children’s data and profiting off their detailed profiles.”

It follows confirmation by Facebook that it is “exploring a parent-controlled experience” on Instagram after reports first appeared on Buzzfeed News on Friday.

Currently children this young are not allowed to use the app under federal privacy regulations, but this is not the social media giant’s first foray into services for young people.

Facebook launched its Messenger Kids app in 2017, allowing children to chat to family members and friends approved by parents.

Children aren’t assigned a separate account and instead use an extension of a parent’s account who maintains control over who they can chat to.

Ms Abdul-Rahim said: “Social media companies have a responsibility to protect children and young people online, but building a separate version of their platforms is not the answer.

“Facebook’s very business model is built on ubiquitous and constant surveillance – which is entirely incompatible with human rights. By making users sign up to the opaque terms and conditions of Instagram, Facebook will be able to harvest huge amounts of data about children and create invasive, granular profiles that can last the rest of their lives.”

Facebook said in a statement it was responding to demand from users.

“Increasingly kids are asking their parents if they can join apps that help them keep up with their friends,” said Joe Osborne, a spokesman for Facebook.

“Right now there aren’t many options for parents, so we’re working on building additional products – like we did with Messenger Kids – that are suitable for kids, managed by parents.”

According to a recent UN report on artificial intelligence, privacy and children’s rights, more than 72 million pieces of data are collected for each child by online advertising companies before children reach the age of 13.

When it launched Messenger Kids, Facebook said it wouldn’t show ads or collect data for marketing to kids.

It has not confirmed whether this will be the approach taken through Instagram.

Mr Osborne added: “We’re exploring bringing a parent-controlled experience to Instagram to help kids keep up with their friends, discover new hobbies and interests, and more.”

Earlier in the week Facebook announced extensive new measures designed to keep teenagers safe on Instagram.

Ms Abdul-Rahim said: “Children will remain at risk of being bombarded with targeted advertising and incendiary content designed to keep their attention above all else. They will be left at the mercy of Facebook’s algorithms that all too often amplify disinformation and divisive content in order to prioritize engagement.”

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