Background and Importance of COPPA Compliance
COPPA was enacted in 1998 to address the growing concerns over children's privacy online. It applies to any entity that collects personal information from children under 13, including websites, mobile apps, and online services. The act mandates stringent measures to protect children's personal information and empowers parents with control over what information is collected from their children.
Who Needs COPPA Compliance?
COPPA compliance is required for operators of websites, online services, and mobile apps that either directly target children under 13 or knowingly collect personal information from them. This includes educational tech companies, child-oriented games and apps, and any digital service that collects personal data from children. Key protections under COPPA include:
Target Children Under 13: COPPA is designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13. Any app or website specifically created for children in this age group—such as educational apps, games, and entertainment apps—must comply with COPPA regulations. This means these operators must take steps to protect children's privacy and provide a safe online experience tailored to their needs.
Collection of Personal Information: If an app or website collects personal information from children under 13, it must comply with COPPA. Personal information includes a wide array of data, including names, email addresses, photos, and any other identifying information. It also includes less obvious data such as usage patterns, and geolocation. Operators must provide clear notice to parents about what information is being collected, how it is being used, and with whom it is being shared.
Mixed-Audience Platforms: Websites, apps, or services that are not specifically designed for children but are likely to attract children under 13—such as social media platforms, video streaming services, and multiplayer online games—must also comply with COPPA if they knowingly collect information from children. Operators of these platforms need to implement age-screening mechanisms and avoid data collection from users identified as under 13 without appropriate parental consent.
Data Minimization and Security: COPPA requires operators to limit the collection of personal information to what is reasonably necessary for the activities provided by the service. Additionally, operators must establish and maintain reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personal information collected from children, including implementing appropriate data retention and deletion practices.
Prohibition on Behavioral Advertising: COPPA restricts the use of personal information for behavioral advertising if the service is directed at children or if the operator knows children are using the service. Apps that collect data for behavioral advertising or serve targeted ads must ensure they are not collecting data from children under 13 without parental consent. This restriction applies even if the app is not primarily directed at children but includes them as part of its user base.
In-App Purchases and Advertising: Apps that offer in-app purchases or display ads must comply with COPPA if they are used by children under 13. This means taking steps to ensure that any advertisements are age-appropriate and that no data is collected without proper consent. In-app purchase mechanisms must also be designed to protect children from inadvertently making purchases.
Parental Consent: One of the core requirements of COPPA is obtaining verifiable parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under 13. This involves notifying parents about the data collection practices and obtaining their consent through methods such as signed forms, credit card verification, or other reliable mechanisms. Without such consent, collecting any personal information from children is prohibited.
Why Do You Need COPPA Compliance?
Legal Requirement: Compliance with COPPA is not optional but a federal requirement, ensuring legal operations and avoiding penalties.
Protect Children’s Privacy: It safeguards children's personal information from misuse, promoting a safer online environment for them.
Build Trust with Parents: Compliance demonstrates to parents that your service is trustworthy and committed to protecting their children's privacy.
How Walturn Achieves COPPA Compliance
Clear Privacy Policies: We maintain transparent privacy policies that clearly outline how children's information is collected, used, and protected.
Verifiable Parental Consent: Before collecting any personal information from children, we obtain verifiable parental consent, ensuring that parents are fully informed and agreeable to our data practices.
Parental Control and Review: We provide mechanisms for parents to review, correct, or delete their children's personal information. Parents can exercise these rights at any time, ensuring they have control over their children's data
Third-Party Agreements: We establish comprehensive agreements with all third-party vendors and partners who may have access to children's personal information. These agreements mandate that our partners also adhere to COPPA standards, ensuring consistent data protection across all collaborations.
Strict Data Security Measures: We implement rigorous security measures to protect the collected data, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits.
Data Minimization and Anonymization: We adhere to the principle of data minimization by collecting only the necessary personal information required for specific purposes. Where applicable, we implement data anonymization techniques to further protect children's privacy.
Regular Training and Compliance Audits: Our staff undergo regular training on COPPA requirements, and we conduct frequent audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
Incident Response and Breach Notification: We have a detailed incident response plan to address any potential data breaches or security incidents swiftly. This includes prompt breach notification procedures in compliance with COPPA regulations, ensuring affected parties are informed without delay.
