Protecting Children's Privacy in the Digital World: What is COPPA?
Children are almost born citizens of the digital world. As internet access increases, children are exposed to technology at an earlier age, which puts them at greater risk regarding online safety and privacy. This is exactly where COPPA comes into play.
Definition and Purpose of COPPA
COPPA stands for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Enacted by the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1998, it limits the collection and use of personal information from children aged 13 and under. This law was created to protect children's online privacy and to give parents the right to control their children's online information sharing.
Who Does COPPA Affect?
COPPA affects all companies and websites that collect information about children and serve users in the United States. This includes a wide range of entities such as games, educational sites, social networks, mobile applications, toy companies, and even digital advertising networks. The fundamental rule of COPPA is the requirement to obtain explicit parental consent before collecting or sharing personal information from children under the age of 13.
What Are COPPA's Obligations?
COPPA includes some fundamental rules regarding the collection and use of children's personal information. Businesses and websites must comply with the following:
- Clearly state in their privacy policies how children's information is collected, used, and disclosed.
- Obtain parental consent before collecting or sharing information from children under the age of 13.
- Inform parents on how they can review, modify, or delete their children's information.
- Do not retain information longer than necessary, unless there is a legal requirement.
Enforcement, Penalties, and Fines Under COPPA
Failure to comply with COPPA's provisions can lead to serious legal consequences. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees this law and applies sanctions when deemed necessary.
When a business or website is found not to comply with COPPA provisions, it can be subjected to hefty fines by the FTC. For example, in 2019, Google and its video platform YouTube were ordered to pay a $170 million fine for collecting children's information without parental consent. This was the largest penalty awarded under COPPA and demonstrated the seriousness of this law to companies.
Additionally, businesses that violate the rights of parents and children may lose public trust. This can lead to longer-term and perhaps more serious consequences in the form of customer loss and damage to brand reputation.
Fulfilling COPPA's obligations is important both to protect children and to safeguard businesses' reputation and financial standing. Therefore, all businesses serving children need to understand the requirements of this law and comply with them.
The Role of COPPA: Children's Safety in the Digital World
Children's online privacy is an important issue in a world where technology and the internet are rapidly advancing. As one of the most significant legal regulations on this matter, COPPA ensures that children are safer in the online world. However, the best protection always involves parents and adults educating children about online threats and doing whatever is necessary to keep them safe.
Please contact us to learn more about the compliance of the Accessiblee Accessibility Tool with COPPA regulations.
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