Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Definition

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1998 that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 by regulating the collection of their personal information online. This law requires websites and online services to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal data from children. COPPA plays a crucial role in establishing a framework for the safe and responsible use of children's data in the digital environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA applies to all operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13, as well as those that knowingly collect information from children.
2. Under COPPA, websites must provide a clear privacy policy outlining their data collection practices and how they use children's information.
3. The law mandates that parents have the right to review the personal information collected from their children and can request deletion of that information.
4. Violations of COPPA can result in significant fines imposed by the Federal Trade Commission, making compliance crucial for online businesses targeting children.
5. COPPA has prompted many companies to implement stricter data protection measures and age verification processes to ensure they are not inadvertently collecting data from children.

Review Questions

• How does the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act define personal information in relation to children, and what are the implications of this definition for online service providers?
  • Under COPPA, personal information includes any data that can identify a child under 13, such as name, address, or email. This broad definition places a significant responsibility on online service providers to implement stringent measures for data collection and ensure compliance with COPPA regulations. Service providers must be diligent in identifying users' ages and securing parental consent before gathering any personal data, thus promoting responsible data handling practices.
• Discuss the role of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and what actions it can take against non-compliant businesses.
  • The Federal Trade Commission plays a crucial role in enforcing COPPA by monitoring compliance and investigating companies suspected of violating the law. The FTC has the authority to impose fines and penalties on businesses that fail to adhere to COPPA's requirements for obtaining parental consent or mishandling children's data. This enforcement ensures that online services prioritize children's privacy and provides a regulatory framework that encourages responsible practices in the digital marketplace.
• Evaluate the impact of COPPA on digital marketing strategies targeting children and how companies can adapt their practices to comply with this regulation.
  • COPPA significantly impacts digital marketing strategies aimed at children by requiring businesses to rethink how they collect and utilize data. Companies must adapt by implementing age verification measures and ensuring they have robust mechanisms for obtaining verifiable parental consent before engaging with child audiences. Additionally, marketers need to focus on creating transparent communication about their data practices while fostering trust with parents, ultimately aligning their strategies with regulatory requirements while still reaching younger audiences effectively.

Related terms

Verifiable Parental Consent: A requirement under COPPA that mandates online services must obtain clear and informed permission from a child's parent or guardian before collecting personal information from the child.

Personal Information: Data that can identify an individual, including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and any other information that can be used to contact or locate a person.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

The U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing COPPA and protecting consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices, including those related to children's online privacy.