COPPA

Definition

COPPA, or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a federal law in the United States that regulates the online collection and use of personal information from children under the age of 13. It aims to provide parents with control over what information is collected from their children online and how it is used.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA applies to commercial websites and online services that are directed at children under the age of 13 or that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children under 13.
2. Website operators must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under 13.
3. COPPA requires website operators to post clear and comprehensive privacy policies that explain their information practices, including what personal information they collect and how they use it.
4. COPPA prohibits website operators from conditioning a child's participation in an activity on the child's disclosure of more personal information than is reasonably necessary to participate in that activity.
5. Violations of COPPA can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $43,792 per violation.

Review Questions

• Explain the primary purpose of COPPA and how it aims to protect children's online privacy.
  • The primary purpose of COPPA is to protect the online privacy of children under the age of 13. It does this by requiring website operators to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children. COPPA also mandates that website operators provide clear and comprehensive notice to parents about their information practices, allowing parents to make informed decisions about their children's online activities and the data they share.
• Describe the key requirements that website operators must follow under COPPA to ensure compliance.
  • Under COPPA, website operators must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13, post clear and comprehensive privacy policies, and avoid conditioning a child's participation in an activity on the disclosure of more personal information than is reasonably necessary. Additionally, website operators must implement reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information collected from children.
• Analyze the potential consequences for website operators who fail to comply with COPPA regulations, and discuss the importance of strict enforcement in protecting children's online privacy.
  • Violations of COPPA can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $43,792 per violation. The strict enforcement of COPPA is crucial to protect children's online privacy and prevent website operators from exploiting or misusing the personal information of minors. Failure to comply with COPPA not only exposes website operators to legal and financial consequences but also undermines public trust and can have far-reaching implications for the well-being and safety of children in the digital age. Rigorous enforcement of COPPA ensures that website operators prioritize the privacy and security of children's personal information, fostering a safer online environment for young users.

Related terms

Personal Information: Any information that can be used to identify an individual, either alone or in combination with other information, such as name, address, phone number, email address, or location data.

Parental Consent: The process by which a parent or legal guardian authorizes the collection and use of a child's personal information by a website or online service.

Notice and Choice: The requirement for website operators to provide clear and comprehensive notice to parents about their information practices and to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children.