The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, known as S836, is a new bill aiming to protect the online privacy of children and teens. It updates existing laws to include teenagers, ensuring their personal information is kept safe from misuse by websites and apps.
What This Bill Does
The S836 bill expands the protections of the original Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) from 1998. Previously, COPPA only protected children under 13, but this new bill extends those protections to teens up to age 16. This means that websites and apps must now get clear permission from parents for children and directly from teens before collecting or using their personal information.
One of the key changes is the prohibition of targeted advertising to children and teens. This means that companies can no longer use personal data to show personalized ads to young people. Instead, they can only show general ads that do not rely on personal information. This aims to reduce the risk of manipulative advertising practices.
The bill also introduces an "Eraser Button," which allows teens and parents to delete personal information collected by websites and apps. This gives them more control over their online presence and ensures that their data can be removed if they choose.
Additionally, the bill emphasizes data minimization and security. Companies are required to collect only the data necessary for their services and must implement strong security measures to protect this information. There are also specific rules for educational institutions, allowing them to collect data for educational purposes but with strict privacy safeguards.
Why It Matters
This bill is important because it addresses the growing concerns about online privacy for children and teens. With the rise of social media and mobile apps, young people are increasingly vulnerable to having their personal information collected and used without their knowledge or consent.
By expanding protections to include teens, the bill helps close a significant gap in the original law. It ensures that teenagers, who are heavy users of social media, are not left unprotected. This is crucial as studies show that 95% of teens use social media daily, making them susceptible to privacy risks.
For everyday Americans, this means that parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children's online activities are safer. Teens gain more control over their digital footprint, which is especially important as they prepare for college or enter the workforce.
Key Facts
- Cost/Budget Impact: The Congressional Budget Office has scored the bill, but specific cost details are not available.
- Timeline for Implementation: The bill is expected to take effect upon enactment, with compliance likely required within 180-360 days.
- Number of People Affected: Over 50 million U.S. minors, including children under 13 and teens aged 13-16, will be impacted.
- Key Dates: Introduced on March 4, 2025, and reported favorably with amendments on June 25, 2025.
- Bipartisan Support: Sponsored by Sen. Markey and Sen. Cassidy, with 19 cosponsors from both parties.
- Real-World Examples: Similar to COPPA and influenced by state laws like California's Age-Appropriate Design Code.
- Historical Context: Updates the 1998 COPPA to address modern digital age challenges, such as social media and smartphone use.
Arguments in Support
- Expands Protections: Supporters argue that extending protections to teens closes a loophole that left them vulnerable to data collection.
- Bans Targeted Ads: The bill prevents manipulative advertising practices that can exploit young users.
- Eraser Button: It empowers teens and parents to delete personal data, enhancing privacy control.
- Data Security: Emphasizes the importance of data minimization and strong security practices.
- Bipartisan Support: The bill has backing from both Democrats and Republicans, reflecting a consensus on the need for updated privacy laws.
Arguments in Opposition
- Compliance Costs: Critics may argue that the bill imposes burdensome compliance costs on small businesses and app developers.
- Impact on Ad Revenue: There are concerns that banning targeted ads could significantly impact revenue for platforms that rely on them.
- Innovation Stifling: Some worry that strict regulations could stifle innovation in the tech industry.
- Lack of Opposition Details: While there is no explicit opposition, similar past bills have faced pushback from the tech industry.