What is COPPA?
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law in the United States that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13. It was enacted in 1998 and is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
What Does COPPA Stand For?
COPPA stands for Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Why Was COPPA Created?
COPPA was created in response to concerns about how children’s personal information was being collected and used online. The law requires websites and online services that are directed at children to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information from children under 13.
What Does COPPA Require?
- Obtaining parental consent before collecting personal information from children
- Providing parents with the option to review or delete their child’s information
- Keeping children’s personal information secure
- Notifying parents about the website’s data collection practices
Examples of COPPA Violations
In 2019, YouTube was fined $170 million for violating COPPA by collecting personal information from children without parental consent. The platform made changes to comply with the law, such as disabling targeted ads on videos aimed at children.
Impact of COPPA
Since its enactment, COPPA has raised awareness about children’s online privacy issues and prompted companies to improve their data collection practices. However, some critics argue that the law is too restrictive and hinders innovation.
Conclusion
COPPA plays a crucial role in protecting children’s privacy online and regulating how their personal information is collected and used. By raising awareness about the importance of online privacy for children, the law helps create a safer digital environment for young users.
