How is a website owner is supposed to verify that it’s an adult or a kid pressing ‘buy’ button while being logged into an account with adult’s details?
Consumer protection laws assume that big guys can amortize pains and suck it up. They are just built unfair to counteract the already unfair power gradient between individuals and businesses.
What is the alternative? Have a video call with anyone wanting to make an online purchase? What about deepfakes? It’s effectively impossible to determine that the person clicking “Buy” is not an adult, especially if that person is using the account of an adult with permission.
I do not think unauthorised transactions are much of an issue, and as an other commented asked: what would be the alternative? Come on now.
The solution (that many people do not want to hear) is very simple: supervise your kid, be a parent.
Edit: I love getting down-voted for saying "be a parent". Laughable. We are on HN and you do not know how to prevent this from occurring? Read the other comments, there are lots of suggestions. You have absolutely no excuse.
sfifs|9 months ago
numpad0|9 months ago
supermatt|9 months ago
Amazon do this because it makes it frictionless for the legitimate consumer - but at risk of letting through unauthorised transactions.
jmb99|9 months ago
bmacho|9 months ago
johnisgood|9 months ago
The solution (that many people do not want to hear) is very simple: supervise your kid, be a parent.
Edit: I love getting down-voted for saying "be a parent". Laughable. We are on HN and you do not know how to prevent this from occurring? Read the other comments, there are lots of suggestions. You have absolutely no excuse.