COPPA

Definition

COPPA, or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1998 that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 when they use online services. The act requires websites and online services directed at children to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from them, ensuring that children’s data is handled responsibly and securely.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA was designed to give parents control over what information is collected from their children online, establishing a framework for transparency and accountability.
2. Websites and services covered by COPPA must provide a clear privacy policy detailing their data collection practices and how they protect children's information.
3. Failure to comply with COPPA can result in significant penalties for companies, including fines from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
4. COPPA applies not only to websites directly targeting children but also to those with actual knowledge that they are collecting information from children.
5. Parents have the right to review their child's personal information collected by online services and request its deletion under COPPA.

Review Questions

• How does COPPA ensure that children's online privacy is protected, and what specific requirements does it impose on online services?
  • COPPA ensures the protection of children's online privacy by requiring that online services directed at children under 13 obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information. This includes providing a detailed privacy policy outlining their data practices. Services must also allow parents to review and delete their children's information, thereby putting parents in control of what data is collected and how it is used.
• Discuss the implications of COPPA for educational technology companies that serve children in schools.
  • Educational technology companies must carefully navigate COPPA compliance when developing platforms for schools. They need to implement measures to secure parental consent before collecting any student data and clearly inform educators about how the data will be used. Non-compliance not only exposes these companies to legal repercussions but can also damage their reputation among schools and parents who prioritize student privacy.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of COPPA in today's digital landscape where children's online interactions are increasingly prevalent.
  • While COPPA has laid important groundwork for protecting children's online privacy, its effectiveness in today's digital landscape can be debated. With the rise of mobile apps and social media platforms, many services may circumvent COPPA requirements, particularly if they do not explicitly target children. As children's digital engagement evolves, there is an ongoing need for updates to legislation like COPPA to adapt to new technologies and better protect young users from data exploitation.

Related terms

Parental Consent: The explicit permission from a parent or guardian required under COPPA before collecting personal information from children.

Personal Information: Any data that can be used to identify a child, including names, email addresses, and location information, which is protected under COPPA.

Online Services: Digital platforms, websites, or applications that may collect personal information from users, specifically targeting or accessible to children.