Urgent issue!!!!

[Douglas Robinson]

In response to the post wondering who are Youngest NC Wood Worker is, I received the following PM:

In response to your Post (as quoted above) in the Youngest NC Wood Worker thread:

Hi, Doug. Glad I had the chance to meet you last weekend at the Golden Corral. We had a little chat about some of the weird stuff people get uptight about on the forum (I mentioned my burl thread).

Thought I'd pass along a little of my own uptightness to you in a PM, rather than in the forum. I think you said you're a lawyer, so you might want to investigate the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). I'm a computer security professional and frequently work with Federal and State law enforcement on Internet crimes. Internet safety is a big issue for me, especially when children are involved. From a liability standpoint alone (and as President), I urge you to look into COPPA to see if North Carolina Woodworker is affected. I know you have some children as members, and from my own personal opinion, you should look into how children's profiles are administered.

I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but I would be freaking out if my son's age and photo was posted in a forum frequented by 99% middle-aged men.

Here's some info for you--

http://www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyin...childrens.html

Yell, if you have any questions.

Mike Whitehead

Mike, makes some very ggod points. Ithink we should take the following steps:

1. Revise our policies about posting information of minors,
2. Contact GeorgeL about the issue
3. Close and delete the the referenced thread and let the posters know the reason why.

Thoughts/comments??

Doug

 

[Douglas Robinson]

I spoke with Steve and he thinks we are ok. He was aware of the issue and is checking and we should hold off until we are sure of the situation. COPPA is real difficult to deal with.

 

[ScottM]

These are very good questions. I would be inclined to close the thread in question until we get a better understanding.

 

[scsmith42]

Quite frankly my first (and last) reaction was to shake my head... I think that this is being overthought and overreacted to...

In another month or so, Alex's age and photo will be posted across the US in Wood Magazine; not to mention the fact that he has it posted on his web site - www.pensforcollege.com.

It should not be an issue to have it posted on NCWW.

 

[Douglas Robinson]

I was not so much worried about Alex, but other potential disclosures and the risk it might expose NCWW, Inc. to.

 

[Travis Porter]

I was not so much worried about Alex, but other potential disclosures and the risk it might expose North Carolina Woodworker, Inc. to.

I am with Scott.....

Still, what risk?

 

[McRabbet]

Sadly, we live in a world where children have been exploited and hence the privacy laws. I agree that we do not have a major issue here, but perhaps a PM to Mike Davis explaining that we want to avoid any potential harm to any youths on the site -- we admire their abilities (like his very talented kids and the scouts he's worked with), but their privacy is important, too.