COPPA

Meet COPPA: the online privacy bodyguard for kids under 13, designed to swoop in like a digital superhero and ensure companies can't just snatch children's data like it’s candy. It makes businesses jump through privacy hoops, forcing them to get parental permission before gathering any information from these tech-savvy tots. Essentially, it's the baffling reason your favorite app asks if you're old enough to rent a car before letting you post that cute puppy pic.

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13 online. Enacted by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), COPPA mandates that websites and online services directed at children, as well as those that knowingly collect information from children, must obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data from children. The act requires these entities to provide clear privacy policies regarding the type of data being collected and how it will be used, thereby ensuring transparency and safeguarding against the unauthorized use of children's personal information. Compliance with COPPA is crucial for marketers and businesses in order to avoid significant penalties and legal repercussions.