FTC Offers Kids' Privacy Perk for Age Tech

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a policy statement indicating it will not enforce the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) against certain websites that utilize age verification technologies. This initiative is designed to incentivize the use of these tools to protect minors online. Websites looking to benefit from this enforcement discretion must adhere to strict protocols. These include promptly deleting any personal data collected solely for age determination and ensuring data is only shared with third-party providers capable of maintaining confidentiality and security.

Under these new guidelines, general or "mixed audience" sites can collect minors' data without verifiable parental consent for age verification purposes. However, they must provide clear notices about data collection and implement reasonable security measures. The FTC also expects these systems to aim for reasonably accurate age results. While proponents of age verification technologies have welcomed the announcement, privacy advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) remain concerned. They point to potential data breaches and question whether these measures genuinely safeguard children's privacy and free speech rights online.