COPPA 2.0: a new era in children’s online privacy protection
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was originally enacted in 1998 to regulate the collection of personal information from children under 13. In 2024, the Senate passed COPPA 2.0, an updated and expanded version of the law, which extends privacy protections to minors under 17 and introduces stricter data handling requirements for online platforms.
With the House expected to approve this legislation, businesses must begin preparations for the enhanced privacy standards outlined in COPPA 2.0.
What is COPPA 2.0?
COPPA 2.0 builds on the foundation of the original law and amends it, aiming to give minors more control over their data while placing stricter limitations on platforms’ ability to collect, store, and use personal information.
Key provisions include:
Extended age coverage: the law now protects teens up to age 17, expanding privacy rights beyond children.
Ban on targeted advertising: platforms are prohibited from serving targeted ads to users under 17, reshaping the landscape for digital marketers.
Eraser button: teens and parents can request the deletion of personal information collected by platforms, giving users greater control over their digital footprint.
Stricter data collection rules: platforms must obtain verifiable consent before collecting personal data from minors, and cannot use this data for marketing purposes.
Once enacted, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will oversee compliance with COPPA 2.0. Violations can result in significant fines, particularly for platforms that repeatedly fail to follow the law’s requirements.
Why COPPA 2.0 is important
With concerns about online privacy at an all-time high, COPPA 2.0 is seen as a necessary update to reflect the reality of how teens interact with the digital world today. Platforms have been criticized for their data-collection practices, particularly in relation to younger users, prompting lawmakers to address the gaps in current regulations.
The updates respond to concerns about data exploitation, since teens are frequently targeted by platforms using data to serve personalized ads. Many young users also lack the ability to control or delete their data, leading to lasting digital records.
While the expansion of privacy protections for teens is widely supported, there are also concerns about how COPPA 2.0 will be implemented. Critics argue that enforcing age verification and obtaining verifiable consent could create additional privacy risks by collecting more sensitive information, such as identity verification documents.
Tech companies, including major platforms like Google and Meta, have suggested that these new rules could overburden them without effectively addressing parents' concerns. The industry also fears that compliance costs will rise significantly, especially given the ban on targeted advertising.
One of the key advantages of COPPA 2.0 is its potential to enhance privacy protections in educational settings. With more schools relying on online platforms and educational tools, COPPA 2.0 ensures that these platforms are held to stricter standards when handling student data. Educational businesses must prioritize privacy and gain verifiable consent before collecting personal information from minors under 17. This creates a safer digital learning environment, giving educators and parents greater confidence in protecting students’ privacy while benefiting from digital learning innovations.
Preparing for COPPA 2.0
Businesses that interact with minors will need to prepare for COPPA 2.0 by revising their data handling practices. Key steps include:
Review data collection practices: ensure your platform complies with age verification and limits the collection of minors' personal data.
Eliminate targeted advertising: stop using minors' data for targeted ads to avoid penalties.
Implement eraser buttons: provide a clear mechanism for teens and parents to request the deletion of personal data.
Update privacy policies: clearly communicate your data collection practices and users' rights under COPPA 2.0.
By taking these proactive measures, businesses can ensure compliance with COPPA 2.0 and safeguard their reputation in a privacy-conscious market.
COPPA 2.0 represents a major shift in how platforms handle the personal data of minors, extending protections to a broader age group and introducing stricter guidelines for compliance. As businesses and platforms adapt to these new regulations, they not only safeguard themselves from potential penalties but also demonstrate a commitment to protecting young users' privacy.
By acting now, companies can build trust with an increasingly privacy-conscious audience and align themselves with the evolving standards of online safety.