Are the kids alright?
The California Age – Appropriate Design Code Act: A new era for children’s online privacy in the U.S.?
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) has largely protected children's privacy in the United States since 1998.
With the launch of the Age- Appropriate Design Code (AADC), which outlines 15 standards as "a set of technology neutral design principles and practical privacy features," the UK has taken the lead. Since then, the governing body charged with examining AADC compliance, the information commissioner's Office (ICO), has increased its scrutiny of social media, gaming, and streaming providers.
The following are the key areas of focus for impacted businesses are outlined below, along with a comparison of the effects of COPPA, the AADC, and the ADCA.
1
Age verification and estimation:
- Use of a risk-based approach to determine a child's age.
- Where necessary, incorporate age verification techniques.
2
Age-appropriate by design and default
- Taking into account the "best interests of children" when designing online services, features, and products. Age appropriate by design and default.
- Children's users have advanced privacy settings enabled by default.
3
General business practices
- Review of products, services, and features for unlawful behavior, such as the use of nudge tactics, dark patterns, pointless data collection, and sharing of personal information with third parties.
4
Data protection impact assessments (DPIA’s)
- To meet the DPIA requirements specific to the ADCA, the DPIA process must be established or updated.
5
Children’s privacy rights
- To assist children and/or parents acting on behalf of children in exercising their right to privacy and reporting concerns, tools that are visible, approachable, and responsive should be made available.
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Are the kids alright?
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