With Increasing Usage of Virtual Reality Platforms and Devices, Senator Markey and Reps. Castor, Trahan Urge FTC to Monitor Threats to Children in the…

Washington (February 16, 2022) As major technologycompanies announce their plans to create and provide connection to theso-called Metaverse and launch new virtual reality (VR) platforms, SenatorEdward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and LoriTrahan (MA-03) wrote to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today urging theagency to use its full authorityincluding its authority under the ChildrensOnline Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA) and Section 5 of the FTC Acttoensure children are protected from emerging threats of manipulation and privacyinvasions in the new online universe. The Metaverse refers to a virtual andaugmented reality environment, which can be accessed from a variety of platforms,where users can connect and interact online. While some platforms state theirVR devices should not be used by children, many adult users have nonethelessencountered numerous children online. In fact, two-thirds of parents with VRdevices report that their children asked them to buy the device.

Childrens increasing use of VR warrants serious concernsabout new threats to young users wellbeing. Many VR platforms and headsetscurrently do not have basic parental controls, and reports point to harms suchas harassment and unsafe content in the metaverse, write the lawmakers in their letter. Whilepolicymakers, parents, and pediatricians would all benefit from increasedunderstanding about the effectspositive and negativethat VR may have on children,sufficient information exists to warrant the FTCs vigilance in this area.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

The lawmakers previously wrote to the FTC last October, urging the agency to use itsfull authorityincluding its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Actto ensuremajor tech companies comply with their new policies under the United KingdomsAge Appropriate Design Code (AADC). The AADC, which took effect in the U.K. inSeptember 2021, requires online services available to children and teens tomeet 15 key childrens privacy standards. Many of these requirements aresimilar to legislative proposals toupdateSenator Markeys 1998 law, the ChildrensOnline Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA), in the United States.

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With Increasing Usage of Virtual Reality Platforms and Devices, Senator Markey and Reps. Castor, Trahan Urge FTC to Monitor Threats to Children in the...