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United States COPPA Requirements
COPPA, or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a U.S. law enacted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 1998 to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 on the Internet. The Act imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, as well as operators of other websites or online services that have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
Here are some key requirements and steps to comply with COPPA:
1. Privacy Policy: Websites must have a privacy policy that is easy to find and understand. It must clearly outline what type of information is being collected from children, how this information is being used, and the disclosure practices for the information.
2. Parental Consent: Before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children, websites must obtain verifiable parental consent. There are several methods that the FTC considers as providing verifiable parental consent, including but not limited to having the parent sign a consent form and send it back via fax, mail, or electronic scan; the use of a credit card, debit card, or another online payment system that provides notification of each separate transaction to the account holder; or a phone or video call with trained personnel.
3. Information Rights: Parents have the right to review their child’s personal information, to direct the deletion of the information, and to refuse further collection or use of the information.
4. Security Measures: Websites must take reasonable steps to protect the security of children's personal information.
5. Limit Collection: Website operators should collect only the amount of personal information from children that is reasonably necessary for them to participate in an online activity.
6. COPPA Safe Harbor Programs: By participating in an FTC-approved COPPA safe harbor program, operators can ensure they are in compliance with the law. These programs are designed to guide businesses on how to comply with the rule's requirements.
7. Training: Organizations should ensure all members of their team understand and adhere to COPPA regulations.
It's important to note that non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines. Always consider consulting with a legal professional when interpreting and implementing COPPA regulations to ensure full compliance.
Here are some key requirements and steps to comply with COPPA:
1. Privacy Policy: Websites must have a privacy policy that is easy to find and understand. It must clearly outline what type of information is being collected from children, how this information is being used, and the disclosure practices for the information.
2. Parental Consent: Before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children, websites must obtain verifiable parental consent. There are several methods that the FTC considers as providing verifiable parental consent, including but not limited to having the parent sign a consent form and send it back via fax, mail, or electronic scan; the use of a credit card, debit card, or another online payment system that provides notification of each separate transaction to the account holder; or a phone or video call with trained personnel.
3. Information Rights: Parents have the right to review their child’s personal information, to direct the deletion of the information, and to refuse further collection or use of the information.
4. Security Measures: Websites must take reasonable steps to protect the security of children's personal information.
5. Limit Collection: Website operators should collect only the amount of personal information from children that is reasonably necessary for them to participate in an online activity.
6. COPPA Safe Harbor Programs: By participating in an FTC-approved COPPA safe harbor program, operators can ensure they are in compliance with the law. These programs are designed to guide businesses on how to comply with the rule's requirements.
7. Training: Organizations should ensure all members of their team understand and adhere to COPPA regulations.
It's important to note that non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines. Always consider consulting with a legal professional when interpreting and implementing COPPA regulations to ensure full compliance.