PayPal Denies Teen Reward For Finding Bug 318
itwbennett writes "You have to be 18 to qualify for PayPal's bug bounty program, a minor detail that 17-year old Robert Kugler found out the hard way after being denied a reward for a website bug he reported. Curiously, the age guideline isn't in the terms and conditions posted on the PayPal website. Kugler was informed by email that he was disqualified because of his age."
Where's the story? (Score:5, Informative)
FTFA:
PayPal requires that those reporting bugs have a verified PayPal account.
The kid didn't have one. Claim denied. What's the story here? (The age thing? That's irrelevant...)
Re:Why don't businesses get it? (Score:2, Informative)
"That's a REALLY good way to generate positive publicity for your company - act like a douche."
They are a bank and have to respect the law. No business with minors is one of them.
Just as alcohol or cigarette vendors they just cannot do business with kids.
Re:Paypal suck. (Score:5, Informative)
At least provide the link [paypalsucks.com].
Re:Why don't businesses get it? (Score:4, Informative)
Payouts from just about any 'contest' style arrangement to under-18s tend to be legally obnoxious; but Paypal are a bunch of legendary assholes(and not mentioning such a salient limitation is a total dick move), so I'm not inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm a bit surprised that they didn't just accuse him of hacking and then freeze and seize a few dozen random accounts...
What happens legally if you are 18 or over: You enter a contract with Paypal that allows them to make use of the bug information that you found and gave them, and in exchange they give you some money. What happens if you are under 18: The same, but as the kid under 18 you or your guardian can void the contract at any time, which would mean Paypal wouldn't have the right to use the information you gave them. Now consider what happens if they fixed a bug based on your information, shipped a product and suddenly they have no permission anymore to use the information. Ugly.
Re:scholarship? (Score:4, Informative)
No, but generally speaking you cannot enter a contract with a minor, which is probably the legal issue. Age of majority is variable, but in California that is 18 ys old.
They should find a way around it, but they can't just give it to him.
Re:scholarship? (Score:5, Informative)
Actually, no, you can indeed enter into a contract with a minor. If you couldn't, I'd have my kid click through all those license agreements nobody reads.
The minor can be held to a contract that they signed if the parent knew of the contract and demonstrated acceptance, generally by not protesting it. At least that is (generally) the law in the US.
Re:scholarship? (Score:5, Informative)
No, but generally speaking you cannot enter a contract with a minor, which is probably the legal issue. Age of majority is variable, but in California that is 18 ys old.
They should find a way around it, but they can't just give it to him.
I am not a lawyer, but my understanding is that simply paying someone a reward is not entering into a contract.
If Paypal requires that the person who finds the bug enters into a non-disclosure and/or marketing agreement (i.e. to be able to publish their name as the bug finder) prior to receiving the reward then I would agree that this may be the issue. However, there are tons of child actors in Hollywood, so their must be a way that a minor can enter into an agreement. I'm guessing that it would require the legal guardian(s) signature.
Re:scholarship? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:scholarship? (Score:1, Informative)
Yep, all the time. I LOVE it.