The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) took effect in April 2000, back at a time when social media, smartphones, and Big Tech were just a twinkle in our eyes. As we approach the 20th anniversary of COPPA, a coalition of bipartisan senators are pushing for reform in light of Facebook’s controversial Project Atlas research app, which “paid users as young as 13 for sweeping access to their phones to gain insight into their habits to inform future product decision.” Read more in Cat Zakrzewski’s article in the Washington Post.
COPPA protects children under 13, but given the fact that older children and teens do not fully understand the ramifications of consenting to a company’s privacy policy, legislators are pushing to expand and update federal legislation protecting children’s digital privacy. A federal standard would ensure companies stay consistent in operating nationwide or international business, as other jurisdictions have taken broader action than current U.S. federal law provides for, such as California with the California Consumer Privacy Act set to go into effect in 2020 and the EU’s GDPR that took effect in 2018.
To learn how all of these laws coexist and what companies must do to remain in compliance, attend our “Understanding Privacy Laws: Not Child’s Play” panel at the Children’s Advertising Review Unit 2019 Conference on March 6th in Los Angeles. Privacy experts from Sony Pictures Entertainment, BakerHostetler LLP, Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc., and Covington & Burling LLP will inform you how to harmonize your practices to comply across the board. For more information and to register online, visit the CARU Conference website.