title: Microsoft emancipates my kid link: https://onemoretech.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/microsoft-emancipates-my-kid/ author: lembobro description: post_id: 50 created: 2011/04/16 23:59:25 created_gmt: 2011/04/16 23:59:25 comment_status: open post_name: microsoft-emancipates-my-kid status: publish post_type: post

Microsoft emancipates my kid

Rare outraged father’s rant after the jump.

Dear parent or guardian:

According to the birth date provided for your child’s Microsoft online account, XXXXX is now 13 years old. You are therefore no longer able to manage permissions for the XXXXX account through Account Services, and your child may create a new account without your permission.

United States law requires websites and services to obtain parental permission to collect, use, or share personal information from children under 13. Because this child is now 13, you can no longer manage permission for this child for Microsoft online services.

This is wrong on so many levels, that I’m having trouble deciding where to start my tirade.

“Because this child is now 13, you can no longer manage permission for this child for Microsoft online services.”

Really? You mean to tell me that you’re not going to recognize my natural right to protect my own kids?

When you read it carefully, it actually sounds kind of creepy. Predatory even. And the tone is, well, over-the-top arrogant.

Really makes you wonder when they smashed the old moral compass over there in Redmond — if they ever had one.

Well, to hell with that.

Note to self: set aside time tomorrow to call MS Live support and cancel the accounts of both children.

Postscript:

We laughed, we cried, we ridiculed corporate communications together — and then I upgraded one of our subscriptions to annual for a substantial savings.

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