Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Definition

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law enacted in 1998 that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 by regulating the online collection of personal information from minors. It establishes requirements for websites and online services that are directed to children, ensuring that parental consent is obtained before collecting any personal data. This law is essential in addressing privacy concerns in the digital age, especially as children increasingly engage with online platforms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA applies specifically to websites and online services that are directed toward children under 13 or have actual knowledge that they are collecting information from children.
2. The act requires operators to provide clear privacy policies detailing how children's data will be used and stored.
3. COPPA violations can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $43,280 per violation.
4. The law gives parents the right to review and delete their children's personal information collected by online services.
5. Since its enactment, COPPA has prompted many companies to adopt safer practices when it comes to marketing and data collection related to children.

Review Questions

• How does the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) ensure that children's privacy is protected when using online platforms?
  • COPPA protects children's privacy by requiring online platforms directed at children under 13 to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information. This means that websites must provide clear disclosures about their data collection practices and allow parents to review the information collected about their child. By enforcing these regulations, COPPA helps create a safer online environment for minors.
• Discuss the implications of COPPA for website operators and how it affects their data collection practices.
  • Website operators are required to comply with COPPA by implementing strict measures regarding how they collect, use, and share children's personal information. This includes crafting clear privacy policies, obtaining parental consent, and providing mechanisms for parents to review and delete their child's data. The implications of these requirements mean that operators must invest in resources to ensure compliance, which can affect their overall business model, especially if they rely heavily on data-driven advertising.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of COPPA in addressing modern privacy concerns for children in an increasingly digital world.
  • While COPPA has made significant strides in protecting children's privacy online since its enactment, its effectiveness faces challenges in today's digital landscape. New technologies and social media platforms often blur the lines regarding age verification and parental consent. Furthermore, as children gain more access to mobile devices and social networks, adapting COPPA's regulations to keep pace with these changes is crucial. Thus, an ongoing evaluation of COPPA's relevance and enforcement is necessary to ensure it continues to safeguard children's privacy effectively.

Related terms

Parental Consent: The requirement under COPPA that mandates websites obtain verifiable consent from parents before collecting personal information from children.

Personal Information: Any data that can be used to identify an individual, including names, addresses, email addresses, and more, which COPPA seeks to protect for children under 13.

Online Services: Platforms and applications accessed via the internet that cater to users, especially children, and must comply with COPPA regulations when collecting personal data.