From the information that CNN is reporting that is coming directly from the FTC. It appears that this is not only information that is obtained through a "CGI" format, but also via E-mail. The FTC also indicates that they have

the ability to scan 100's of sites per day, and will. If a violation is detected, it can cost the site $ 11,000.00 per incident. This has far reaching consequences. I can see the "Unix Gods" spending many hours writing filters for this, just to "CYA".. This could be a good "Sting" Operation to setup on the Internet. I would agree that you might have some concern with this New Law. With any "Sting Operations", some good people get trapped with the crooks, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having some "law" background, I believe this is one of those issues that could end up before the "Supreme Court", at the Federal Level. I understand their intent, but as with many laws of this type, the founders intent has a tendency to lost somewhere as it gets to the people that handle the enforcement side of things. I want to protect our young children, more than anyone. But I believe some "Law Biding Sites" could get caught on this one, if what is being reported from the FTC is correct. My attorney summed it up. It look like to me, they (the Feds) are going to try to force us (again) into becoming "Internet Police" as well as experts in the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Morris Allen VidcomNet, Inc. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Brown" <twofsonet@graffiti.com> To: "Robert Cannon" <rmcannon@mail.com> Cc: <nanog@merit.edu> Sent: Friday, April 21, 2000 3:26 PM Subject: Re: New Federal Law (COPPA)

...

If you operate a commercial Web site or an online service directed to children under 13 that collects personal information from children or if you operate a general audience Web site and have actual knowledge that it collects personal information from children, you must comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

i have a website that might be collecting information from children, even though that's not the "target" audience. can i ask the person how old they are, or is that a violation of the law?

it seems to me that i must break the law in order to comply.

or am i just being pedantic?

-- |-----< "CODE WARRIOR" >-----| codewarrior@daemon.org * "ah! i see you have the internet twofsonet@graffiti.com (Andrew Brown) that goes *ping*!" andrew@crossbar.com * "information is power -- share the wealth."