Return of Moka, and Negativity in GC

Epidemic, it should be quite painfully clear that we are not "a website directed towards children", and that illy is instead a "general audience website" - so your quote about providing access isn't relevant.

Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions

A GUIDE FOR BUSINESS AND PARENTS
AND SMALL ENTITY COMPLIANCE GUIDE

(Latest revisions:  FAQ H.5, H.10, and H.16 – July 16, 2014)

A.  GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COPPA RULE

14. Will the amended COPPA Rule prevent children from lying about their age to register for general audience sites or online services whose terms of service prohibit their participation?

No.  COPPA covers operators of general audience websites or online services only where such operators have actual knowledge that a child under age 13 is the person providing personal information.  The Rule does not require operators to ask the age of visitors.  However, an operator of a general audience site or service that chooses to screen its users for age in a neutral fashion may rely on the age information its users enter, even if that age information is not accurate.  In some circumstances, this may mean that children are able to register on a site or service in violation of the operator’s Terms of Service.  If, however, the operator later determines that a particular user is a child under age 13, COPPA’s notice and parental consent requirements will be triggered.

D.   WEBSITES AND ONLINE SERVICES DIRECTED TO CHILDREN

4.    I run a site that I believe may fall within the FTC’s sub-category of a website directed to children but where it is acceptable to age-screen users.  Can I age-screen and completely block users who identify as being under age 13 from participating in any aspect of my site?

No.  If your site falls within the definition of a “Web site or online service directed to children” as set forth in paragraph (1) of 16 C.F.R. § 312.2, then you may not block children from participating altogether, even if you do not intend children to be your primary target audience.  Instead, what the amended Rule now permits you to do is to use an age screen in order to differentiate between your child and non-child users.  You may decide to offer different activities, or functions, to your users depending upon age, but you may not altogether prohibit children from participating in a child-directed site or service.

http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/0493-Complying-with-COPPA-Frequently-Asked-Questions

Please devs, let Moka back when she turns 13 :D

GM Rikoo wrote: While I am not speaking on any particular case and I can appreciate your efforts, generally if a player is banned from the game there is a good chance they cannot return in any way, even with a new account. For age restricted players (players who are under 13 and have told us so, so far there have been several) they are banned across all attempts.  Other players -- say someone who gets only one of their alts banned for something more minor -- can make a new account, but will never gain access to their original.  In a case of age restriction, it's impossible. And, we are legally obligated to continue to ban that player in any form if they attempt to sneak in somehow. GM Rikoo

GM Rikoo wrote: Here is a Q&A if you need it:  http://forum.illyriad.co.uk/coppa-and-age-restrictions-explained_topic5933_post81703.html#81703 GM Rikoo

it's becoming clear that this is much less about COPPA for the devs than it is about making an example.