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Monday, July 4, 2011

You can't have a gmail account if you are under 13

Martin Sutherland, on his blog "Legends of the Sun Pig" told how Google made his son cry. It turns out Google is really serious about not letting people who are not allowed to enter a binding contract, enjoy their services.

I was surprised to discover that the official age in which one can enter a binding contract in the U.S is (in most states) 18 (if that Wikipedia article seems cumbersome, try reading about the majority age here, it is better summarized). In Israel the approach is more sophisticated, and a minor's capacity is judged by the type of transactions youth of his age are commonly involved in, instead of a strict age line. I was further surprised to discover that this entire Google-Age dilemma is old internet news , but I was mostly surprised to realize that Google is brave enough to let persons above 13 use their services despite the formal majority age, but not brave enough to let persons under 13 enjoy their services, even with parental consent.

And lets all remember - when we are talking about Google's services, we are talking first and foremost about SEARCH. Does Google really think it is reasonable that in this age of information, minors under 13 will not search the internet ? Does Google really think it is reasonable that in this day and age minors under 13 will not have an email ? Sometimes lawyers and law make even the most pure-intent organizations lose their right mind.

Google, you are doing evil. Time to wake up, and adapt your Terms of Service. 

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