McDonald's Backs Off Online Viral Marketing to Kids

Changes follow complaint filed with FTC

Faced with the possibility of regulatory action, McDonald's has quietly changed how its Happy Meal website interacts with children. The company eliminated its controversial forward-to-a-friend option, which encouraged kids to email e-cards, links and photos to friends and family.

A complaint filed in August with the Federal Trade Commission by a group of 13 privacy advocates led by the Center for Digital Democracy argued the option bypassed the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which prohibits websites from emailing children under the age of 13 without their parents' permission.

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