MediaPost Features Recent CARU Case

CARU received some media coverage today from MediaPost, which publicized a recent CARU inquiry into Build-A-Bear Workshop's website. The popular website removed links to Twitter and Pinterest from its home page following a CARU investigation. To learn more, please visit MediaPost.

FTC Will Retain July 1st as the Date for Implementation of Updated Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

The Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to retain the July 1st, 2013 date for implementation of the updated Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. Industry organizations had requested that the FTC reconsider the implementation date for July. The FTC responded by stating that the July 1, 2013 date was announced in December of 2012, giving companies more than six months to prepare.

The FTC noted that during the past six months that it has conducted numerous meetings with organizations as well as with individual businesses on how to ensure compliance with the new rule. It also recently issued an update to its Frequently Asked Questions document.

For more information about the implementation of the updated COPPA rule, visit the FTC's website.
For information about becoming a member of CARU's Safe Harbor program please contact jblack@caru.bbb.org or wkeeley@caru.bbb.org.

FTC Releases Updated FAQs

This morning, the FTC released its updated version of its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The FAQs are intended to supplement the compliance materials available on the FTC website.

To check out the FAQs, click HERE.

If you have any additional comments or questions for the FTC staff, send an email to: CoppaHotLine@ftc.gov

The Application Developers Alliance Asks the FTC to Delay the Effective Date of COPPA's Changes

Last week the Application Developer's Alliance asked the Federal Trade Commission to delay the date that changes to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) would go into effect. App developers would have stringent new obligations that they need to comply with and delaying the start date, according to them, would give developers extra time to fully understand the requirements that are necessary to comply.

Do you think that the FTC will oblige? Click HERE to read the letter to Commissioner Ramirez.

Nice Mention of the CARU Conference on Social Media Today

CARU's West Coast Conference has been getting a ton of press. Check out this article which sums up the conference's most hotly discussed panel about COPPA. Liisa Thomas, (Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP) hosted a chat with FTC representative Mamie Kresses, who "called" in via Skype. The panel covered many of the most frequently asked questions about the upcoming changes to COPPA. Visit Social Media Today to hear about some of the key questions asked and what the FTC had to say. 

CARU's 3rd Annual West Coast Conference is a Success!

On Wednesday April 10th, CARU held its 3rd Annual West Coast Conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.  Kicking off an informative day on privacy, children's advertising, and the challenges of evolving technology, was Genie Barton, VP and Director Online Behavioral Advertising Program and Mobile Marketing Initiatives. Genie gave an overview of the ever changing landscape of online behavioral advertising.  Genie also discussed how the new partnership between CARU and the Accountability Program will draw on the Accountability Program's expertise in online and mobile advertising and its online monitoring capabilities to enforce compliance with the ban on using device IDs  or persistent identifiers to track children under the expanded definition of personal information. 

CARU was also fortunate enough to teleconference in Mamie Kresses and Pater from the FTC where they answered difficult questions about changes to the COPPA Rule as it applies across platforms including apps and mobile technology. Later in the day, industry experts provided further insight on the COPPA changes with an in depth discussion of practical implications and how the changes will affect their businesses. A representative from Michelle Obama's Partnership for a Healthier America spoke about their mission and how they are working with the food industry to help eradicate childhood obesity. Other panels discussed claim substantiation,  running successful promotions as well as a run down and explanation of CARU's recent cases.

CARU Director to be Featured Panelist at Bloomberg BNA Webinar Tuesday April 16th at 1PM

Bloomberg BNA is hosting a 90-minute webinar tomorrow about the updates to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The changes are the first in many years and are leading to many questions. The webinar is designed to prepare in-house counsel, website operators, advisers and practitioners involved with the privacy and security of data. Leading experts will be on the panel, including CARU's Director, Wayne Keeley. They will discuss how best to comply with the changes and prepare for July 1st, which is the compliance deadline. 



Register Now for this program to:

• Learn how to assess whether the updated COPPA Rule applies to you and your organization.
• Understand the actions necessary to comply, including reviewing websites, mobile applications,and privacy policies.
• Find out about specific changes to the updated COPPA Rule, including (i) the definitions, (ii) parental notice, (iii) parental consent methods, (iv) confidentiality and security requirements, and (v) data retention requirements.Gain an understanding of how the updated COPPA Rule affects the safe harbor industry, including the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU).
• Learn about real-world issues that companies are facing due to the updated COPPA Rule.