FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes to TRUSTe's COPPA Safe Harbor Program
The FTC is seeking comment on proposed changes to TRUSTe's safe harbor program under an agency rule that implements the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), said a Wednesday news release. COPPA prohibits companies that operate websites and provide online…
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services from "knowingly" collecting personal data from children under 13 unless the companies get parental consent before collecting, using or disclosing such information. Companies also must post comprehensive privacy policies on their sites. Companies that develop guidelines, which implement the rule's protections, and then get them approved by the commission can receive safe harbor from enforcement action by the agency, said the FTC. The commission is seeking comment -- until May 24 -- on proposed changes to TRUSTe's safe harbor program including "a new requirement that participants conduct an annual internal assessment of third-parties’ collection of personal information from children on their websites or online services." The FTC said it wants to know "whether the mechanisms used to assess compliance with the proposed modified program requirements are effective."