Microsoft's Cortana will be PG-13

[dgstorm]

This news isn't directly Android related, but it is worth discussing for a number of reasons. Apparently, Microsoft's new voice-activated digital assistant Cortana, will be PG-13 (or the equivalent thereof). Apparently, according to the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), because Cortana is considered an online service, users must be 13-years old or older to be able to use the voice features.

In fact, built into Cortana will be a safety mechanism. If someone under the required age tries to use her services, Cortana will reply with, “I’m sorry, you’ll need to be a bit older before I can help you.” It's unclear how she will be able to determine if the user is old enough. Here's a quote with a few more details,

Typically, online users under the age of 13 can still use certain technology if their parents grant permission. Microsoft’s gaming system, Xbox Live for instance, has an online system that allows parents to turn on or off specific areas of the service for their kids. Cortana doesn’t yet have that function. Cortana is still listed as being in “beta,” or in testing mode. While Cortana is highly personalized, users can still choose what personal data are shared with the service. Microsoft did not provide an official comment as of press time.

What do you guys think of this? Oversensitivity or smart safety for kids? Also, how do you think they will implement this?

Source: USAToday

 

[g_what]

How will it know?

 

[akhenax]

I'm all about Kid safety first, product enhancements later. I guess I'm this way because I have children. Those of you w/o may want the product enhancements first, everything else after.

 

[johnomaz]

How will it know?

My guess is it will look at the age you gave it when you signed up for the Microsoft account. Sure, its easy to bypass unless you are somehow required to put in a credit card to verify age or something like that.

IMO, I'd love to see that kind of verification for Facebook and all the rest of those social sites.

 

[jspradling7]

"Cortana, show me yer boobies"
"You're under 13 aren't you. Here are some boobies... "