New Amendments to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule

Description

On Apr. 22, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its final amendments to the COPPA Rule, which are the first major updates to the rule since 2013. The rule is effective June 23, 2025, but provides website operators until Apr. 22, 2026, to comply with all provisions except certain annual reporting and notice requirements related to the COPPA Safe Harbor program which have earlier compliance dates.

The rule is intended to provide parents of children under 13 with heightened control over what data is provided to third parties, strengthen requirements for companies that use, collect, and/or disclose children's data, and increase transparency regarding FTC-approved COPPA Safe Harbor programs. The key features of the new rule include new opt-in verifiable parental consent for targeted advertising; stronger parental consent and notice requirements; heightened data retention and information security policies; and increased third-party diligence to ensure that third parties receiving children's personal information maintain that information's confidentiality, security, and integrity. Also, FTC-approved safe harbor programs must publicly disclose membership lists and increase transparency through regular reporting to the FTC.

These new changes place requirements on businesses and online operators that were not originally covered under COPPA. Companies and online operators must reevaluate and update their websites, marketing materials, and current practices and policies as well as strengthen existing security programs to ensure compliance with the new rule's requirements.

Listen as our expert panel examines the new legal framework regarding children's online privacy and provides guidance for businesses and online operators to bring their practices and policies in compliance with this new legal framework.