FTC to fine Warner unit $1.23m over kids privacy

NEW YORK (AP) - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is proposing to fine a unit of Warner Music Group US$1 million (S$1.23m) for violating a child privacy law in the operation of fan websites for artists including Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Rihanna.

Commissioner Edith Ramirez revealed the proposed settlement in a speech in New York on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Children's Advertising Review Unit, a self-regulatory group for the advertising industry. A judge would need to confirm the settlement.

Ms Ramirez said that website operator Artist Arena collected personal details like names, email addresses, street addresses and cellphone numbers of more than 100,000 children aged 12 or younger on sites such as BieberFever.com.