Protecting Children's Online Privacy: A Guide to COPPA Compliance

COPPA, or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, is a federal law that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 who use the internet. As a website owner or operator, it's essential to understand the requirements of COPPA and ensure that your website is compliant with the law. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to COPPA compliance, including the rules and regulations you need to follow.

What is COPPA?

COPPA is a federal law that was passed in 1998 to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 who use the internet. The law requires website owners and operators to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13.

Who is affected by COPPA?

COPPA applies to any website or online service that is directed at children under the age of 13, or that has actual knowledge that it is collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.

What are the requirements of COPPA?

Under COPPA, website owners and operators must:

• Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13.
• Provide clear and prominent notice to parents and children about the website's information collection and use practices.
• Give parents and children the opportunity to opt-out of the collection and use of their personal information.
• Keep personal information collected from children under the age of 13 secure and confidential.
• Comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, which sets forth specific requirements for website owners and operators.

How to comply with COPPA?

To comply with COPPA, website owners and operators should:

• Review their website's privacy policy and ensure that it complies with COPPA requirements.
• Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13.
• Provide clear and prominent notice to parents and children about the website's information collection and use practices.
• Give parents and children the opportunity to opt-out of the collection and use of their personal information.
• Keep personal information collected from children under the age of 13 secure and confidential.
• Comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, which sets forth specific requirements for website owners and operators.

Conclusion

COPPA is a federal law that aims to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 who use the internet. As a website owner or operator, it's essential to understand the requirements of COPPA and ensure that your website is compliant with the law. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your website is COPPA compliant and protect the privacy of children who use your website.