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 collection of their personal information online. The law requires that websites and online services directed toward children obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children. COPPA is an important aspect of e-commerce regulation, ensuring that children's data is handled responsibly and transparently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA applies to operators of websites or online services that are directed at children under 13 years old or that knowingly collect personal information from children.
2. The law requires privacy policies to be posted on sites, clearly outlining how children's data will be collected, used, and protected.
3. Failure to comply with COPPA can lead to significant fines and penalties imposed by the FTC.
4. COPPA allows parents to review their child's personal information collected by websites and request deletion if desired.
5. This law was one of the first efforts in the U.S. to regulate children's online privacy and has been a model for similar laws in other jurisdictions.

Review Questions

• How does COPPA ensure children's privacy when they interact with online platforms?
  • COPPA ensures children's privacy by requiring websites and online services aimed at children to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information. This means that parents must be informed about what information is being collected and how it will be used, giving them control over their child's data. Additionally, COPPA mandates that operators implement specific privacy policies detailing data usage and protection measures.
• Evaluate the impact of COPPA on e-commerce businesses targeting children. What are some challenges they may face?
  • COPPA significantly impacts e-commerce businesses targeting children by imposing strict regulations on data collection practices. Companies must navigate the challenge of obtaining verifiable parental consent, which can complicate user onboarding processes and decrease engagement from potential users. Additionally, maintaining compliance with COPPA requires ongoing monitoring and updates to privacy policies, which can increase operational costs for these businesses.
• Analyze how COPPA reflects broader societal concerns about children's safety in digital environments and its implications for future legislation.
  • COPPA reflects broader societal concerns about the vulnerabilities of children in digital environments, highlighting the need for protective measures against exploitation and misuse of personal data. As technology evolves and children engage more with online platforms, there is a growing recognition of the necessity for robust privacy protections. This creates implications for future legislation, where lawmakers may need to consider more comprehensive frameworks that address emerging technologies and the changing landscape of online interaction to further safeguard children's rights.

Related terms

Verifiable Parental Consent: A requirement under COPPA that mandates websites obtain clear approval from a parent or guardian before collecting personal information from children.

Personal Information: Any data that can be used to identify a child, including names, addresses, email addresses, and other identifiers.

FTC (Federal Trade Commission): The U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing COPPA and ensuring compliance with the regulations set forth in the act.