COPPA Explained: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
Short answer
COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, is a U.S. law that protects children under 13 by requiring websites and online services to get parental consent before collecting personal information from kids. It sets clear rules for how companies must handle children’s data, helping parents control and protect their children’s privacy online.
What is COPPA explained in plain words?
COPPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 when they use the internet. It applies to websites, online services, and apps that either target children or knowingly collect personal information from them. The law requires these sites to inform parents about what information they collect and get parental permission before collecting, using, or sharing a child’s personal data. Personal information can include a child’s name, address, email, phone number, photos, videos, or any other details that could identify them. For example, if a website for kids asks for their name and birthday to create an account, COPPA requires the site to get the parent’s permission first. The goal is to give parents control over their children’s information and to make companies responsible for protecting children’s privacy online.
How does COPPA work? A clear, hypothetical example
Imagine a website called “KidZone Adventures” that offers games and videos for children ages 5 to 12. When a child wants to sign up, the site asks for their first and last name, birthday, and email address to send notifications about new games. Since this site collects personal information from children under 13, COPPA applies. Here’s how KidZone Adventures must comply:
- Privacy Policy: The site must have a clear privacy policy explaining what data it collects, how it is used, and how parents can access or delete their child’s information.
- Parental Consent: Before collecting any information, KidZone Adventures must get verifiable consent from the child’s parent or guardian. This could be done by sending a consent form to the parent's email, requiring a phone call, or verifying with a credit card.
- Data Minimization: KidZone Adventures should only collect information necessary to provide the service, such as the child’s first name and birthday, but not sensitive details like home address unless essential.
- Parental Rights: Parents must be able to review the information collected about their child and request its deletion if they choose.
- Data Security: The site must protect children’s data from unauthorized access and not share it with third parties without parental consent.
By following these steps, KidZone Adventures ensures it respects children’s privacy and complies with COPPA.
Why does COPPA matter to parents, kids, and website owners?
COPPA plays an important role in protecting children’s privacy and giving parents control online:
- Parents benefit because COPPA requires websites to inform them about what data is collected and get their permission, helping prevent children from sharing information unknowingly. For instance, a parent might decline consent for an app that requests location data or contact lists.
- Children get a safer online experience, with fewer chances of their personal details being misused or exposed to marketing and strangers.
- Website Owners and Developers need to follow COPPA to avoid legal trouble, build trust with families, and demonstrate responsibility when handling children’s data. Noncompliance can lead to investigations and legal action.
For example, a parent who is cautious about their child’s privacy can confidently allow access to a compliant website knowing their child’s information is protected and controlled.
What terms do people confuse with COPPA?
Some privacy and legal terms are often mistaken for COPPA but cover different areas:
- GDPR: The General Data Protection Regulation is a European privacy law that protects users, including children, with different age rules and requirements than COPPA. It covers broader data privacy beyond just children and applies primarily in the European Union.
- FERPA: This law protects student education records and applies mainly to schools, not general online services.
- DMCA: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act focuses on copyright infringement and digital content protection, unrelated to children's privacy.
- Online Safety Rules or Guidelines: These are general recommendations for children’s safe internet use but are not legal mandates like COPPA.
Knowing these differences helps you understand when COPPA applies and when other protections or laws are relevant.
What are the key COPPA requirements websites and apps must follow?
Websites and apps subject to COPPA must meet several important requirements to protect children’s privacy:
| Requirement | What it Means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Policy | Post a clear, easy-to-find policy describing data use | A link on the homepage explaining what data is collected |
| Verifiable Parental Consent | Confirm a parent agrees before collecting child data | Sending a consent form via email or requiring a phone call |
| Data Minimization | Collect only data essential for the service | Asking for a child's first name and age, not full address |
| Parental Access and Control | Let parents review and delete their child’s info | A parent portal where data can be viewed or deleted |
| Data Security | Protect data from unauthorized access | Using encrypted servers and secure passwords |
| No Unauthorized Disclosure | Do not share or sell children’s data without consent | Not sharing data with advertisers without parental approval |
Meeting these rules helps companies follow the law and maintain the trust of families who use their sites or apps.
How can parents protect their children under COPPA?
Parents can take active steps to safeguard their children’s privacy online:
- Read Privacy Policies: Before letting children use a site or app, review its privacy policy to understand what information is collected and how it’s used.
- Ask for Clarifications: Contact the company if the privacy policy is unclear or if you have questions about data collection or parental controls.
- Provide Consent Cautiously: Only give parental consent for apps and websites you trust and understand.
- Monitor Online Activity: Regularly check what websites and apps your child uses and how they share personal information.
- Use Parental Controls: Take advantage of any available parental controls offered by apps or devices to limit data sharing.
- Request Data Access or Deletion: If concerned, ask the site or app to show the data collected about your child or delete it.
- Report Suspected Violations: If you believe a website is not following COPPA, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
For example, if a new game app requests your child’s email and location, ensure you receive a clear request for consent and understand what the app will do with that data before approving.
What happens if a company breaks COPPA rules?
If a company violates COPPA, the Federal Trade Commission can investigate and take enforcement actions. Consequences may include requiring the company to change its practices, delete improperly collected data, and pay fines. These penalties encourage companies to comply with the law and protect children’s privacy. For example, if a company collects children’s personal information without parental consent or fails to provide a clear privacy policy, the FTC may intervene and impose penalties. The company might also be required to notify affected parents and take corrective steps. Such enforcement emphasizes the importance of following COPPA’s rules carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Who does COPPA protect?
COPPA protects children under 13 years old in the United States by regulating how websites and online services collect and use their personal information.
What is verifiable parental consent under COPPA?
It’s a process companies must use to confirm that a parent or guardian has agreed to their child’s data collection, using methods such as signed forms, credit card verification, or phone calls.
Can children use a website without parental consent if they lie about their age?
Companies must take reasonable steps to verify age and obtain parental consent, but if a child misrepresents their age, liability may be limited if the company followed proper procedures.
Does COPPA apply to social media platforms?
Yes. If a social media platform collects personal information from children under 13 or targets children, it must comply with COPPA.
How do I file a complaint if I think a website violated COPPA?
Complaints can be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, which investigates violations and enforces penalties as needed.