USA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

1. Introduction

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act represents the primary federal law protecting children’s privacy online in the United States. Enacted in 1998 and significantly updated in 2013, COPPA sets strict requirements for websites and online services that collect information from children under 13 years old. The Act reflects the special considerations needed when handling children’s personal information and the importance of parental oversight in online activities.

Unlike general privacy regulations, COPPA places specific emphasis on verifiable parental consent and places strict limitations on the collection and use of children’s personal information. The Act has become increasingly important with the growth of social media, mobile apps, and online gaming platforms targeting young users.

2. Scope and Application

COPPA applies to operators of commercial websites and online services, including mobile apps, that are either directed to children under 13 or have actual knowledge they are collecting personal information from children under 13.

Coverage Type	Description	Examples
Child-Directed Services	– Services primarily targeting children – Content designed for young users – Features appealing to children	– Children’s gaming sites – Educational platforms – Child-focused apps
General Audience Services	– Services with actual knowledge of child users – Mixed audience platforms – Age-gated services	– Social media platforms – Video sharing sites – Online communities
Third-Party Services	– Plug-ins – Advertising networks – Analytics providers	– Ad services – Social media plugins – Tracking tools

Protected Information

Information Type	Examples	Collection Requirements
Personal Information	– Name – Address – Email – Phone number	Parental consent required
Online Identifiers	– Screen names – User names – Device IDs – Persistent identifiers	Consent required unless exception applies
Geolocation Data	– GPS location – Street-level data – Location coordinates	Specific consent required

3. Key Requirements

COPPA establishes specific obligations for covered operators regarding the collection and handling of children’s personal information.

Requirement	Description	Implementation Steps
Privacy Notice	Clear privacy policy Description of information practices Parental rights explanation Contact information	Post prominent privacy notice Use clear language Include all required elements Regular updates
Parental Consent	Verifiable consent methods Direct notice to parents Consent verification Record keeping	Implement consent mechanism Verify parent identity Document consent Maintain records
Data Security	Reasonable security Data retention limits Deletion procedures Third-party oversight	Security measures Regular assessments Data destruction Vendor management

4. Parental Consent Methods

COPPA requires operators to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children, with specific approved methods.

Consent Method	Description	Use Case
Sign and Return	Physical or digital consent form	One-time collection situations
Credit Card	Transaction with parental verification	Paid services or verification purposes
Video Conference	Real-time verification of identity	High-risk or sensitive data collection
Knowledge-Based	Questions only parent would know	Online verification systems

5. Enforcement and Penalties

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the primary enforcer of COPPA, with authority to impose significant penalties for violations. State Attorneys General can also bring enforcement actions.

Violation Type	Maximum Penalty	Enforcement Action
Civil Penalties	Up to $43,280 per violation	FTC enforcement actions
State Actions	Varies by state	State Attorney General actions
Injunctive Relief	Operational restrictions	Court-ordered changes to practices