FTC updates rules about how online companies can collect and use data from kids under 13

For the first time since 2013, the Federal Trade Commission announced updates to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as COPPA.

The updates will mainly change how companies can collect and use information from children under 13.

Companies will have to more carefully screen users’ ages before collecting any personal data, especially for platforms accessible to both kids and adults — like social media, gaming platforms or video streaming services.

To better keep parents in the loop, the changes also allow companies to text them for permission to collect data.

But they’ll have to delete kids’ information when it’s no longer needed, and can’t store it in case it’s valuable later.

And beyond names and email addresses, the new rules also bar collecting things like fingerprints, face scans, and voice recordings.

For now, the FTC is delaying new rules for educational technology while it says it’s waiting for the Department of Education to make its own planned updates.

The finalized this week will take effect this June, but companies have until next year to fully comply.