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Microsoft's Siri-like Cortana service doesn't talk to kids

If you’re 13 years old or younger, Cortana will not talk to you.

168 Comments
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Microsoft Cortana, a voice activated virtual assistant for Windows Phone 8.1 named after Halo’s AI character, will not talk to kids.

Like Apple’s Siri on iPhone, Cortana’s speech recognition allows users to ask it questions and perform specific tasks. Cortana also collects data on users in the process in order to improve the experience over time, meaning it is subject to the US government's Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

COPPA’s policies insure that children under the age of 13 can’t share information online without the approval of a parent. According to GameSpot sister site CNET, at this point in development Cortana doesn’t have any parental controls, so if you’re listed as being younger than 13 on your Microsoft account and try to use Cortana, she’ll respond with, "I'm sorry, you'll need to be bit older before I can help you."

Cortana is currently available in beta to developers on Windows Phone 8.1. Support for other Microsoft devices like Windows computers and Xbox consoles could come later.

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Avatar image for Marky360
Marky360

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Hell yeah fight the power Xbox is life. Vinewood classic baby who Lou plus is da shit.

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Darkhol0w

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Edited By Darkhol0w

So under 13 is a nono, but 14 is ok? That's certainly strange.

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Prometheus

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She has the right idea.

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TheRealZorvan

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And once again, I'm reminded that kids do have it better than adults.

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jalisdaboss

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@Angry_Mushroom @TimberWolf_CLT @playstationzone The only point that you have made is currently on top of your head, Angry_Mushroom!

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PikachuDude860

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Joking of course

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ryogapower

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Edited By ryogapower

windows phones suck. microsoft suck. this story is full of suck.

2 • 
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markatkins94402

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@ryogapower - So tell me, apart from being a professional jerk, what else do you do for a living?

3 • 
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BobaVhett66

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@markatkins94402 @ryogapower i know im very very late to this comment section but lol i agree

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MrJskilet

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I'm gonna tell Cortana to call me chief...

6 • 
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Evdne971

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But she'll go rampant after 8 months

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jd7904

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Why? Did they use Kathryn Murray as the voice for Cortana? :-P

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HonorOfGod

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Cortana please help!! my house is on fire please call the fire fighters!!

Cortana: "sorry little prick, get lost"

9 • 
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PlaystationZone

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Edited By PlaystationZone

Mirosoft dont like kids they h8 them and no wonder dont make any kids games and i know about say knack was awful game for ps4 but playstation did great kids games than mirosoft,

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TimberWolf_CLT

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@playstationzone You have fairly low reading comprehension don't you? Cortana has this restriction because of the COPPA rules and to this point MS didn't want to add parental control clutter to it.

Siri's not supposed to talk to kids 13 and under either.

And neither is a game, so what's your point?


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Angry_Mushroom

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@TimberWolf_CLT @playstationzone


His point is that we should all read before commenting. Or such tragic comments happen. Also another point is that no one under 13 should be allowed on the internet.

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Anemeros

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@Angry_Mushroom @TimberWolf_CLT @playstationzone The world would be a better place if there were no forums and comment sections on the internet.

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GinsuVictim

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Edited By GinsuVictim

Cortana has a sign in her yard and can't live within 100 yards of a school?

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Lamesy

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Me neither, Cortana, me neither.

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OldDadGamer

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OldDadGamer  Moderator

@Lamesy You must not play a lot of multiplayer shooters.

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GSyynoandnoyyGS

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This means most X1 gamers?

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xxmavr1kxx

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Edited By xxmavr1kxx

@noandno Nope they all moved over tot he PS4 for the more POWAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

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allyouneedisluv

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Edited By allyouneedisluv

Nice, first true AI

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Nightcrawler86

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But can she tell me where the neawest westauwant is?

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93ChevyNut

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Edited By 93ChevyNut

@Nightcrawler86 Kripke FTW!

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Aegis_Kleais

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Edited By Aegis_Kleais

@93ChevyNut @Nightcrawler86 Wasn't that wady taking hi wesowution photos of his junk fow cwaigswist? water woosers!

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daikkenaurora12

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I want EDI for my Android.

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canuckbiker

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I'd like glados, without the homicidal tendencies.

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de_anomaly

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Alot of these government agencies are useless, kinda like the NSA. All it takes is to input a false DOB when u set up ur account. I did it as a kid, and kids will keep doing it.

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canuckbiker

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Edited By canuckbiker

Makes sense I guess. Personally I'm not a fan of talking to inanimate objects.

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dlCHIEF58

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@canuckbiker

Then again, you're not Gary Busey either - HELLO PANTS!

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93ChevyNut

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@dlCHIEF58 @canuckbiker Love that commercial! I like how he greets the lamp as if it's someone completely new but he talks to his pants like they're an old friend.

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CapnXtraObvious

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@Chaos_Dante_456 **** you, young man.

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Carpetfluff

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Just what I need. A phone with a personality that starts off helpful, then starts sassing you and finally goes nuts and tries to kill itself.

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canuckbiker

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Better her, than me.

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zygany

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It's a pity that's it only the chronological age that matters and not the mental age. There are plenty of over 18s who act like idiot kids when online :)

11 • 
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kachan64

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Lol, finally see gamespot has sotpped with the typical gaming news and going with bit of tech or it's just me, Anyways...


That means when a kid have a Windows Phone which was given by their parents, and when they say "call mum" or something, then phone will not take any actions against the child?

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oflow

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when are they adding this to kinect?


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kachan64

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@oflow I hope that too. I guess will be soon...

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simo_tmm

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Tell me more about those 'specific' tasks then.

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spikepigeo

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I was just at a video-game symphony performance and there were two (incredibly obnoxious) boys sitting behind me. They must have been eight or nine years old.


When the orchestra started playing Halo, they flipped out and started cheering and clapping. Fine. Halo was great -- but eight year-olds? Come on, parents...


Bonus: when The Legend of Zelda theme was played, the kids were stoic. Didn't even flinch. Sad times we live in...

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93ChevyNut

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@spikepigeo Agreed. That LofZ tune in all its original midi beauty will always remind me that I had a good childhood.

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maxpowr3

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Cortana is nothing compared to the dominatrix that controls the GPS in my car.

13 • 
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deactivated-609fe4eae5287

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No one under the age of 17 should know who Cortana is because of parental controls and all that jazz.

7 • 
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tsunami2311

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because they wont lie about there age or that the parents even care to use parental controls, most dont use that stuff

3 • 
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hystavito

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Does Siri also do the same to comply with COPPA?

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TimberWolf_CLT

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@hystavito Yes, supposedly.

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WraistlinGill

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Looks like CBS is trimming the fat and hiring more freelance writers for the GameSpot news mill. Where do I sign up?

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kachan64

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Edited By kachan64

@WraistlinGill +1 CBS prob going to freelance sites and grab a good chunk people and blow their money on it then they're here. Isn't that amazing?

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catsimboy

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I thought it was because 13-year old boys would constantly ask her "Can I see ur bewbs?"

10 •