Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Definition

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a federal law enacted in 1998 aimed at protecting the privacy of children under the age of 13 by requiring parental consent for the collection of personal information from children online. COPPA sets clear guidelines for website operators and online services to follow in order to ensure that children's data is handled responsibly, thereby fostering a safer online environment for young users.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. COPPA applies to websites and online services directed toward children under 13, as well as those that have actual knowledge that they are collecting information from children.
2. Website operators must provide clear privacy policies detailing their information collection practices and obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children.
3. Enforcement of COPPA is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has the authority to impose penalties on companies that violate the law.
4. COPPA mandates that parents have the right to review their child's personal information collected by websites and request its deletion.
5. The law has significant implications for how businesses design their online services and interact with young users, often leading to the creation of child-friendly platforms.

Review Questions

• How does COPPA protect children's privacy when they are using online services?
  • COPPA protects children's privacy by requiring that websites and online services obtain parental consent before collecting any personal information from users under 13. This law mandates clear communication regarding data collection practices through privacy policies, ensuring that parents are informed about how their child's information will be used. Additionally, it grants parents rights over their child's data, allowing them to review and request deletion of personal information.
• Discuss the responsibilities of website operators under COPPA and the consequences of non-compliance.
  • Under COPPA, website operators are responsible for creating clear privacy policies, obtaining verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data from children, and providing parents with access to their child's information. If companies fail to comply with these regulations, they may face enforcement actions by the FTC, which can result in significant fines and damage to their reputation. Non-compliance can also lead to increased scrutiny from regulators and a loss of consumer trust.
• Evaluate the impact of COPPA on the development of online services targeted at children and how it shapes industry practices.
  • COPPA has significantly impacted the development of online services aimed at children by enforcing strict guidelines that prioritize children's privacy and safety. This law has led many companies to rethink their data collection practices and implement additional protective measures, such as creating separate platforms for children. The need for parental consent and transparency has encouraged developers to innovate in ways that not only comply with regulations but also enhance user trust, ultimately shaping a more responsible digital landscape for young users.

Related terms

Personal Information: Any information that can be used to identify an individual, including names, addresses, email addresses, and any other data that can be linked back to a specific person.

Parental Consent: The permission obtained from a child's parent or guardian before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from a child under the age of 13.

Data Protection: The practice of safeguarding personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure to ensure privacy and security for individuals.