The Federal Trade Commission (F.T.C.) made history on Tuesday by prohibiting an online service from catering to users under the age of 18. This groundbreaking decision came as a result of the app’s violation of child privacy and consumer protection laws, ultimately causing harm to children and teenagers.
The F.T.C. settlement with NGL Labs, the maker of the anonymous messaging app NGL, highlighted the app’s failure to provide the safe environment it had promised. Despite marketing itself as a secure space for teens with robust moderation practices, NGL exposed users to cyberbullying and other risks, according to the agency.
NGL, which stands for “not gonna lie,” agreed to a $4.5 million settlement to compensate affected consumers. In addition to this, the Los Angeles District Attorney imposed a $500,000 civil penalty on NGL. This decision underscored the growing concerns of lawmakers and regulators about the safety of children online.
Recent actions, such as the Surgeon General’s call for a health warning label on social media for young users and ongoing legislative discussions, highlight the urgency of protecting children from harmful online content. The Kids Online Safety Act, currently under debate, aims to mandate stringent measures for safeguarding children on digital platforms.
Focusing on safeguarding children online, the F.T.C. is actively cracking down on apps and services that infringe upon child privacy and consumer protection laws.
In the case of NGL, the agency uncovered a series of deceptive practices during its investigation. NGL falsely claimed to employ artificial intelligence tools to prevent bullying, fostering a sense of security among young users. However, the reality was far from the marketing pitch, with the app engaging in deceitful tactics to generate revenue.
Despite facing allegations of misleading practices, NGL has initiated changes in response to the settlement. Co-founder Joao Figueiredo expressed a commitment to enhancing the app’s safety measures for users, illustrating a willingness to cooperate with regulatory authorities.
The F.T.C.’s action has been applauded by parents and child safety advocates, who recognize the importance of holding tech companies accountable for protecting children online.
Kristin Bride, a mother who tragically lost her son to cyberbullying facilitated by an anonymous messaging app, commended the F.T.C.’s enforcement efforts. She emphasized the detrimental impact of such platforms on vulnerable teenagers and urged for stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
