The first updates to the COPPA Rule since 2013 impose new obligations for sharing children’s personal information with third parties.

By Jennifer C. Archie, Marissa R. Boynton, Michael H. Rubin, Molly O’Malley Clarke, and Elizabeth Yin

On April 22, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) published the final amendments to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule)1 in the Federal Register. The published amendments will become effective on June 23, 2025

China’s PCPPIC protects children’s personal information in much the same way as COPPA and the GDPR, but with a few differences.

By Wei-Chun (Lex) Kuo, Weina (Grace) Gao, and Cheng-Ling Chen

On August 22, 2019, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released a new data privacy regulation related to children, the Provisions on Cyber Protection of Personal Information of Children (儿童个人信息网络保护规定)(PCPPIC). The regulation will come into effect on October 1, 2019, and will apply within the People’s Republic of China (PRC).The PCPPIC’s stated purpose is “protecting the security of children’s personal information and promoting the healthy growth of children in the PRC.” In 29 Articles, the PCPPIC sets forth high-level requirements for the collection, storage, use, transfer, and disclosure of the personal information of children within PRC territory.

The FTC and many state attorneys general aggressively monitor apps, websites, and internet-connected products for COPPA compliance.

By Jennifer C. Archie, Michael H. Rubin, and Alexander L. Stout

In the United States, collecting data directly from children under 13 years of age is tightly regulated by a federal statute, which is aggressively monitored and enforced. Under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), even seemingly straightforward online data collection and storage practices such as logging an IP address or storing an email address are subject to strict requirements, such as providing notice and obtaining advanced parental consent prior to collection or storage.

Under COPPA, obtaining proper consent can be technically or administratively burdensome, expectations shift with technological advancement, regulatory exceptions are vague, and penalties are calculated on a per-violation basis. COPPA is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general, both of which are very active in this area. Although the FTC maintains a website with answers to frequently asked questions, the law is complicated, and companies should consult with an attorney.