CARU Recommends Kidz Bop Modify Website To Better Protect Children’s Privacy; Company Agrees To Do So

New York, NY – June 24, 2009 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CARU) has recommended that Kidz Bop LLC take steps to better protect the online safety of  children who visit the company’s Website at www.kidzbop.com.

The site came to the attention of CARU through a consumer complaint. Kidz Bop is the name of a series of popular music albums recorded for children and sold by Kidz Bop LLC.  Website features amateur music videos from child fans, as well polls, information about Kidz Bop products, online games, a newsletter and e-cards.

During its initial review of the site, CARU discovered that the Kidz Bop site included link to a mobile marketing Website operated by a second company, Gameloft. A review of the Gameloft site, which CARU determined was not in compliance with CARU’s guidelines, including guidelines that address online privacy protection.

Further, CARU determined that the Kidz Bop Privacy Policy did not include the operator’s contact information as required by the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act COPPA.

In response to CARU’s inquiry, Kidz Bop asserted that it was unaware of the Gameloft advertisement, which was placed on the Website by Kidz Bop’s exclusive advertising agent, Gorilla Nation (Gorilla).  According to Kidz Bop, Gorilla will comply with its contractual obligation to exercise its reasonable best efforts to ensure that no advertisements on Kidz Bop’s Website contains links to content that is contrary to public policy or otherwise is unlawful.

Further, the operator agreed to include corporate contact information in the Website’s privacy policy to address CARU’s concern.

CARU noted in its decision that it is pleased Kidz Bop has made modifications to the site.

The company, in its operator’s statement, said that “Kidz Bop LLC believes that maintaining online privacy for children is an extremely important goal. CARU’s efforts in assisting the industry in meeting this goal are invaluable. We are happy to cooperate with CARU to ensure that www.kidzbop.com complies with CARU’s Guidelines and COPPA, and pleased with the satisfactory conclusion of this inquiry.”