FTC is taking another look at COPPA and kids’ online privacy – and we want your insights

The FTC announced proposed revisions to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule on December 20, 2023. The online portal to file public comments is now open and the FTC welcomes your feedback by the March 11, 2024, deadline.

You’ll want to read the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to see what’s on the table. Some of the suggested updates address changes in technology, such as limiting push notifications to kids. Others aim to clarify and streamline the COPPA Rule and strengthen data security. And still others are designed to strengthen how children’s personal information is protected online with an aim to ensure that parents – not companies – are in charge. For example, the proposal would require targeted advertising to kids to be off by default.

It's easy to let your voice be heard. Consider the questions asked in the Notice, read the proposed revisions to the COPPA Rule, and file a comment online through Regulations.gov. Simply click the SUBMIT A FORMAL COMMENT button and start typing.

Don’t be put off by the word “formal.” Of course, we welcome submissions from researchers, academics, and businesses of any size, but comments don’t need to have footnotes or charts ‘n’ graphs. A critically important part of the public comment process is to listen to the practical perspectives of parents who deal with COPPA regularly. Let us know where you stand on the FTC’s proposal to strengthen the COPPA Rule.

File your public comment by March 11, 2024.