FTC Strengthens Laws To Protect Children’s Privacy

On December 19, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made major changes to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for the first time in nearly 15 years, by significantly amending the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (the Rule). Since COPPA was enacted in 1998, online technology has changed tremendously, with the introduction of smartphones, tablets, apps and social media. The law governing children's online privacy, however, has largely remained the same until the FTC's recent announcement.

The amendments to the Rule are intended to strengthen children's privacy protections and give parents greater control over the personal information that Web sites and online services may collect from children under 13 years of age. The amended rule modifies the definitions of operator, personal information, and Web site or online service directed to children and updates the requirements for notice, obtaining parental consent, insuring confidentiality and