U.S. lawmakers have reintroduced the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), a bill that aims to provide stricter regulations on how digital platforms collect and handle data from users under the age of 16. The bill, which is backed by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), seeks to address the growing concerns over children’s data privacy in the face of rapidly expanding digital media usage. First introduced by Markey in 2011, COPPA 2.0 is designed to protect minors from the increasing presence of targeted advertising and the collection of their personal information by online platforms, including social media, gaming apps, and websites. The bill seeks to limit how companies can use personal data for commercial purposes, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children’s digital footprints.
One of the key provisions of COPPA 2.0 is its emphasis on consent and transparency.
The bill would bar companies from collecting personal data from children and teens between the ages of 13 and 16 without explicit consent, a significant shift from current regulations. In addition to this, the bill requires that platforms minimize the amount of personal data they collect from young users and mandates the deletion of such data once it is no longer necessary. This will ensure that children’s data is not retained indefinitely, limiting the risk of exploitation by companies looking to profit from minors’ online activity.
The goal is to create a safer, more transparent digital environment for children by giving parents better control over what their children are exposed to online and what data is being collected from them.
COPPA 2.0 has gained notable momentum compared to previous versions, partly due to its inclusion in a broader children’s online safety bill during the last Congressional session.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill with a 91-3 vote, signaling strong bipartisan support for enhanced privacy protections for minors. However, despite this approval, the bill did not reach the House floor for a vote due to internal concerns within the leadership. In response to this, children’s advocacy groups, privacy organizations, teacher unions, and medical associations have voiced their support for the legislation, underscoring the growing recognition of the need for stronger privacy safeguards. These organizations have emphasized the potential harm that unchecked data collection could have on children’s mental and emotional well-being, adding further urgency to the need for COPPA 2.0’s passage.
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