What is the purpose of childrens online privacy protection act?
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a US federal law that protects the privacy of children online. Its main purpose is to give parents control over the collection, use, and disclosure of their children's personal information by websites and online services.
Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
Key Purposes:
* Protecting Children's Privacy: COPPA aims to prevent the exploitation and abuse of children by restricting the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal information.
* Empowering Parents: It provides parents with the right to review, access, and delete their children's personal information, as well as to consent to its collection, use, and disclosure.
* Setting Clear Expectations for Websites: It establishes specific rules for websites and online services that collect information from children, including requirements for obtaining verifiable parental consent, providing privacy notices, and offering choices about how children's information is used.
* Enforcing Compliance: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces COPPA and investigates potential violations, issuing fines and other sanctions to companies that violate the law.
What information does COPPA cover?
COPPA covers a wide range of personal information, including:
* Name
* Address
* Email address
* Phone number
* Photos and videos
* Location information
* Online activity and browsing history
* Personal preferences
Who does COPPA apply to?
COPPA applies to websites and online services that are directed to children under 13 years old or that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. This includes:
* Websites with content specifically designed for children
* Social networking sites
* Games and apps
* Educational websites
* E-commerce sites
Why is COPPA important?
COPPA is crucial because children are particularly vulnerable to online exploitation. The law helps protect children from:
* Identity theft
* Cyberbullying
* Marketing of harmful products
* Unauthorized access to their information
In summary, COPPA's primary purpose is to safeguard the privacy of children online by giving parents control over their children's information and by establishing clear rules for websites and online services that collect it.