FTC Seeks Comment On New Method To Obtain Parental Consent Under COPPA

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is seeking comment on an application from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), Yoti and SuperAwesome for a new way to obtain parental consent under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule.

Under the COPPA Rule, online sites and apps directed to children under 13 years of age must obtain parental consent before collecting or using any personal information from a child. The COPPA Rule lists a number of acceptable methods for obtaining parental consent. It also includes a provision allowing interested parties to submit new verifiable parental consent methods to the Commission for approval.

ESRB is the self-regulatory body for the United States video game industry. ESRB currently operates a COPPA safe harbor program and has received Commission approval for self-regulatory guidelines that implement the protections of the rule. ESRB was joined in its application by Yoti, a digital identity