FTC UNLEASHES Historic Children’s Privacy Bombshell

The FTC’s newly strengthened COPPA rules now in effect represent a major victory for parental rights and children’s privacy, directly countering the tech industry’s years of unchecked data harvesting from America’s youngest citizens.

Story Highlights

FTC finalizes first major COPPA update since 2013, requiring explicit parental consent before collecting children’s data
New rules expand personal information definition to include biometric data and strengthen data retention requirements
Companies have until April 2026 to comply with enhanced transparency and security protocols
Amendment addresses growing concerns over targeted advertising and exploitation of children online

Enhanced Parental Control Provisions

The Federal Trade Commission’s amended Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act rules, effective June 23, 2025, mandate companies obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal data from children under 13. This represents the first significant COPPA overhaul in over a decade, directly addressing the erosion of parental authority in the digital age. The new provisions restore fundamental family values by ensuring parents maintain control over their children’s online experiences and data privacy.

Expanded Data Protection Requirements

The amendments significantly broaden the definition of personal information to include biometric identifiers, closing loopholes that allowed companies to exploit children’s biological data. Companies must now implement stricter data retention and security protocols, preventing the indefinite storage of children’s information for profit-driven purposes. These enhanced protections address conservative concerns about corporate overreach and the commoditization of childhood innocence through digital surveillance.

Industry Compliance and Enforcement Timeline

Online service operators have until April 22, 2026, to fully comply with the new requirements, including updated privacy policies and consent mechanisms. The FTC’s enforcement approach emphasizes transparency, requiring Safe Harbor program participants to publicly disclose their membership status. This regulatory framework provides clear accountability measures while giving legitimate businesses reasonable time to implement necessary changes without stifling innovation.

Constitutional and Free Market Implications

The COPPA amendments align with constitutional principles by strengthening parental rights while maintaining reasonable regulatory boundaries. Unlike typical government overreach, these rules restore power to families rather than expanding federal control over private enterprise. The amendments create a balanced framework that protects children without undermining free market competition, demonstrating how targeted regulation can serve conservative values when properly implemented.