COPPA compliance: What it means and why it matters?

Digital access is a right, and so is digital privacy. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child now includes digital protections, recognizing the importance of safeguarding children’s online rights.

In the U.S., COPPA was introduced as a response to these global concerns. It’s a legal framework designed to protect children’s personal data, but more importantly, it emphasizes respecting their autonomy in a digital age.

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) ensures that companies collect data responsibly and gives parents control over their children’s online information, aiming to balance digital engagement with privacy rights.

What is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (C.O.P.P.A)?

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or C.O.P.P.A, is a U.S. federal law passed in 1998. It gives parents control over the information collected from their children online. Websites, apps, and online services that collect data from children under age 133 must follow strict privacy rules.

It’s not a soft suggestion. It’s enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the penalties for ignoring it are steep.

Challenges C.O.P.P.A is trying to solve

C.O.P.P.A tackles a range of problems:

• Unauthorized data collection: Kids don’t understand data privacy. C.O.P.P.A ensures websites can’t exploit that.
• Hidden tracking: From cookies to device IDs, tracking methods are subtle. The law brings them to light.
• Parental control: Before any data is collected, parents must be notified and give verifiable consent.
• Opaque practices: The law requires transparency in privacy policies.

Bottom line: C.O.P.P.A solves the imbalance between powerful data-driven platforms and unaware minors.

What does the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act cover 

Purpose

The goal is clear: be proactive with parental controls and hold companies accountable.

COPPA requires businesses to get verifiable parental consent before collecting data from children under 13. The law helps prevent data misuse and protects kids from harmful content, identity theft, and privacy violations. It applies to websites, apps, and online services aimed at children, ensuring they follow proper data protection practices.

How it’s enforced

The FTC enforces COPPA regulations. It investigates and takes legal action against companies that violate them. Non-compliance can lead to substantial penalties, and the FTC may require companies to update their privacy policies and practices to ensure compliance. Violations can also be reported to state attorneys general or consumer protection agencies.

Key consequences of COPPA violations:

• Fines: The FTC can impose civil penalties up to $43,280 per COPPA violation, with potential fines reaching millions.
• Legal Action: Noncompliance may lead to legal action against the company or responsible individuals.
• Reputation Damage: Violations can damage a company’s reputation and erode consumer trust.
• Regulatory Action: The FTC may mandate companies to adopt new privacy policies or practices to meet COPPA standards.
• Criminal Penalties: In some cases, individuals may face criminal charges, resulting in fines or imprisonment.

Fact: In 2019, YouTube and Google paid $170 million for violating COPPA, demonstrating the severe financial impact of noncompliance.

Who is protected under COPPA?

Children under 13. No gray area. Even if a user says they’re older, if you know or should have known they’re underage, C.O.P.P.A applies.

COPPA Safe Harbour Program

To help companies comply, the FTC set up the Safe Harbour Program. It certifies private organizations to enforce COPPA regulations through approved self-regulation programs.

Approved programs include:

• ESRB Privacy Certified
• KidSAFE Seal Program
• PRIVO

Joining these programs doesn’t give you a free pass, but it can reduce your regulatory risk. It also sends a signal to parents, schools, and regulators: “We take C.O.P.P.A seriously.”

Benefits of COPPA

When organizations ask what COPPA compliance is good for, the answer isn’t just “avoiding fines.” It’s about following benefits:

• Trust: Parents are more likely to use platforms that protect kids.
• Security: Strong data practices reduce risk exposure.
• Reputation: Privacy compliance is a badge of credibility.
• Competitive edge: COPPA-compliant products can reach the education market more easily.

Penalties of non-compliance under COPPA

Non-compliance isn’t a paperwork issue. It’s a high-cost legal and reputational crisis. Companies that collect, use, or share this data without following strict rules without parental consent can be hit with enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The maximum penalty for a single COPPA violation is $50,120 per child, per incident. That means if thousands of children are affected, the total fine can quickly climb into the millions.

• TikTok (formerly Musical.ly) paid $5.7 million in 2019.
• YouTube was hit with $170 million.
• Epic Games paid $275 million in 2022 for violating both COPPA and other privacy laws.

Understanding kids’ privacy with COPPA

What privacy rights do children have under COPPA?

Under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, kids have the right to:

• Have their data collected only with parental consent.
• Access the information collected about them.
• Request deletion of that data.
• Use services without having their data monetized.

The roles parents and guardians play with COPPA

C.O.P.P.A hands parents the keys. They must be notified before any personal data is collected. They also:

• Grant or deny consent.
• Review data collected.
• Revoke consent at any time.

This keeps kids’ privacy in the family’s hands, not the platform’s.

When is parental consent not required for COPPA?

There are a few exceptions:

• Internal operations: Data used solely for maintenance or site functionality.
• One-time contact: For replying to a specific request.
• Safety issues: If data is needed to protect a child’s safety.

But tread carefully. These are narrowly defined exceptions, not loopholes.

COPPA responsibilities for site owners, platforms, and educators

The roles website owners and operators play with COPPA

If your site is aimed at children, or if you collect data from under-13 users, then you must:

• Post a clear privacy policy.
• Notify parents and get verifiable consent.
• Allow parents to access and delete data.
• Maintain data security practices.
• Never condition participation on sharing more info than necessary.

That’s COPPA compliance 101.

COPPA, social media, and user-generated content

Platforms with user-generated content often fail C.O.P.P.A checks. Why?

Because videos, usernames, photos, and comments often reveal personal data. If your service allows kids to post content, you must monitor it, limit data collection, and ensure moderation aligns with COPPA regulations.

COPPA and schools

Schools can consent on behalf of parents, but only for educational use. If the data will be used commercially or for behavioral targeting, that’s a non-negotiable.

Best practices that schools can adhere to:

• Use FERPA-aligned edtech providers.
• Have clear contracts and privacy addendums.
• Inform parents of the data shared.

COPPA vs. other privacy laws

While other privacy laws share similar goals, C.O.P.P.A is unique in its exclusive focus on kids and its parental control model.

COPPA vs CIPA

COPPA and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) are both designed to protect children in the digital world. But they approach it from different angles. COPPA handles data privacy, while CIPA focuses on safe internet access. 

Here’s how they compare.

C.O.P.P.A compliance best practices

If you’re asking how to comply with COPPA, here’s a quick start guide. 

• Know your audience: If your platform could attract kids, prepare for C.O.P.P.A.
• Design with privacy first: Limit data collection by default.
• Use age-gating: But don’t rely solely on it.
• Get verifiable parental consent: Email plus follow-up, credit card, or video call are accepted.
• Post clear policies: Use simple language. Don’t bury terms.
• Secure data: Encryption, access controls, and audits matter.
• Delete what you don’t need: Data minimization is your ally.
• Document everything: Consent logs, data flow diagrams, vendor agreements.

Closing thoughts

COPPA compliance isn’t just a legal checkbox but it’s a commitment to creating a safer, more trustworthy digital world for children. As technology evolves, so must our privacy practices. Tools like Scalefusion Veltar’s automated compliance software make it easier for organizations to stay ahead, enabling swift implementation of industry standards like CIS compliance benchmarks on Apple devices. It’s smart risk management that safeguards both young users and your reputation.

FAQs

1. What is the meaning of COPPA?

COPPA stands for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. It’s a U.S. law designed to protect the personal information of children under the age of 13. COPPA compliance means that any website, app, or online service must follow specific COPPA regulations when collecting, using, or sharing kids’ data.

2. What are the requirements for the COPPA Act?

To be COPPA compliant, organizations must disclose their data practices in a privacy policy, inform parents directly about any collection of personal information, and get verifiable parental consent before gathering data from children under 13. 

They are also required to provide parents with access to review or delete their child’s information and must maintain reasonable security measures to protect that data. A COPPA compliance checklist helps companies track and document these steps.

3. What is the difference between GDPR and COPPA?

GDPR applies to all personal data of EU residents, regardless of age, and focuses on broad privacy rights. COPPA regulations apply only to online services that collect data from children under 13 in the U.S.

While GDPR requires transparency, consent, and data protection for everyone, COPPA compliance is specifically about getting parental consent and protecting children’s privacy online.

4. What is the primary purpose of the COPPA?

The primary purpose of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is to give parents control over what personal information is collected from their children, specifically under the age of 13. COPPA compliance helps ensure that companies create safer online spaces and follow strict rules to protect young users’ privacy.