Groups say Facebook targeting kids for fees

WASHINGTON — More than a dozen children’s advocacy groups on Thursday accused Facebook of knowingly deceiving children into racking up fees from games on its social network, the latest in a string of complaints against the company sent to federal regulators.

The groups called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether Facebook violated consumer protection and child privacy laws by duping children into making in-app purchases in games like Angry Birds, Petville and Ninja Saga, and then making it nearly impossible for children or their parents to seek refunds. The accusation stems from a 2012 lawsuit.

The complaint, filed by 17 groups — including Common Sense Media, Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy — says the purchases often were done without a parent’s permission. In some cases, they amounted to hundreds or thousands of dollars.

“Facebook’s exploitative practices targeted a population universally recognized as vulnerable — young people,” the groups said in the complaint.

In Washington’s greater focus on the power of Big Tech, Facebook has taken center stage. The social network’s role in state-sponsored election interference, harmful content and privacy violations has set off a push for new privacy laws and multiple investigations of the company. Next week, Congress will debate proposals for a federal privacy law.

The consumer groups do not believe the complaint will be included in the FTC’S privacy investigation of Facebook because that case appears to be nearing its completion.

But the children’s advocacy groups said they hoped their complaint would continue a drumbeat of pressure for Facebook to take more forceful steps to change its business practices oriented toward children.

“This is a pattern of behavior,” said James Steyer, chief executive of Common Sense Media. “Facebook has a moral obligation to change its culture towards practices that foster the well-being of kids and families, and the FTC should ensure Facebook is acting responsibly.”

In a statement, Facebook said that in 2016 it had updated some of its policies governing purchases by minors.

“We have in place mechanisms to prevent fraud at the time of purchase, and we offer people the option to dispute purchases and seek refunds,” the statement said. “As part of our long history of working with parents and experts to offer tools for families navigating Facebook and the web, Facebook also has safeguards in place regarding minors’ purchases.”