Coppa

COPPA

COPPA is a U.S. law designed to protect the online privacy of children under 13. It requires websites, apps, and online services that are directed at young children—or that knowingly collect information from them—to follow strict rules about what data they can gather and how they can use it. The law limits the types of personal information companies can collect and generally requires that a parent or guardian give permission before a child’s information is collected, used, or shared. To obtain that permission, providers must use a method that reasonably verifies the identity of the parent or guardian, which can range from simple confirmations to more reliable checks in higher-risk situations. COPPA also requires clear, easy-to-understand privacy notices that explain what data is collected, why it’s needed, and how long it will be kept. Parents are given control: they can review information collected about their child, refuse its use, and request that it be deleted. Enforcement is handled by the Federal Trade Commission, which can impose fines and require companies to change practices when they violate the law. For creators and operators of online services, COPPA affects product design, advertising, data storage, and third-party integrations whenever children are likely to be users. For parents, the law offers concrete protections against unwanted tracking, targeted marketing, and sharing of sensitive details about kids. Following these rules helps create safer online spaces for children and builds trust by giving families clearer control over their children’s information.