Privacy Advocates Argue for Broader Privacy Protections, Cites COPPA’s Success for Future Legislation
Commemorating the twentieth year since the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was signed into law on October 21, 1998, the Hill released an op-ed reflecting on the Act’s passage as the only existing Federal privacy law last week. Kathryn C. Montgomery and Jeff Chester, the writers of the op-ed, advocated for COPPA’s enactment and spearheaded the campaign to have it signed into law. Chester is the Executive Director of the Center for Digital Democracy, while Montgomery is Professor Emerita at American University’s School of Communication in Washington D.C.
The piece presented four key takeaways that the authors believe may be helpful in future policy and legislative efforts regarding online privacy.
First, because the Internet’s business model is centered on collection of personal information to be used for marketing purposes, government regulation was necessary, especially in protecting children’s privacy.
Second, as advocates and policymakers pushed for privacy regulation on the Internet just before the dot.com collapse of the 90’s —with resistance coming from different industries—the advertising business has continued to grow, and the online landscape has remained stable even with the enactment of COPPA.
Third, as the landscape in technology and the digital arena continues to change, enforcement of COPPA still remains to be adaptable and flexible in addressing old and new issues. Congress’ legislative intent for the Act gave COPPA flexibility to address changing business and technological practices, while giving the Federal Trade Commission the authority to create and adjust regulations, and allowing avenues for consumers and advocates alike to make recommendations concerning privacy issues.
Fourth and lastly, since the issue of children’s privacy (in relation to regulation of the tech industry) is an important issue for all Americans, issues on online personal privacy goes beyond party lines, which was evident when Congress enacted COPPA with support from Democrats and Republicans alike. With this, COPPA may be seen as a blueprint on how Congress, together with other policymakers and advocates, can create federal legislation that would protect everyone’s privacy.
For more, you can read the op-ed reflecting on the passage of COPPA in The Hill.