What is COPPA? A Comprehensive Guide to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

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 while they are online. In this article, we will delve into the details of COPPA, its history, and its implications for businesses and individuals.

COPPA was enacted in 1998 to address concerns about the collection and use of personal information from children online. The law requires websites and online services that are directed to children or that knowingly collect personal information from children to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing such information.

The law also requires websites and online services to provide clear and prominent notice to parents and children about their information practices, including the types of information they collect, how they use it, and with whom they share it.

In addition, COPPA requires websites and online services to provide parents with the ability to review and delete their child's personal information, as well as to request that the information not be used or disclosed to third parties.

While COPPA is primarily aimed at protecting the privacy of children under the age of 13, it also has implications for businesses and individuals who work with children or collect personal information from them. For example, schools and educational institutions may need to comply with COPPA when collecting personal information from students, and businesses that market to children may need to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from them.

In this article, we will explore the details of COPPA, including its history, its requirements, and its implications for businesses and individuals. We will also provide tips and best practices for complying with COPPA and protecting the privacy of children online.

COPPA is an important law that aims to protect the privacy of children online. By understanding the details of COPPA and its requirements, businesses and individuals can ensure that they are in compliance with the law and that they are taking steps to protect the privacy of children online.