Which act prohibits operators from collecting personal information from children under thirteen without parental consent?

Which act prohibits operators from collecting personal information from children under thirteen without parental consent?

• A. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
• B. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• C. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• D. Online Privacy Protection Act

Answer: (A)

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is the legislation that specifically addresses the collection of personal information from children under the age of thirteen. It establishes requirements for operators of websites and online services directed towards children, ensuring that parental consent is obtained before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children. This act was enacted to protect children's privacy and safety in the increasingly digital world by placing strict guidelines on how their information can be handled. Other acts mentioned, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), primarily focus on educational records and the privacy of students, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) deals with the protection of medical information. The Online Privacy Protection Act is less specific than COPPA and does not focus specifically on children. Therefore, COPPA is the correct answer as it directly relates to the protection of children’s personal information online.

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is the legislation that specifically addresses the collection of personal information from children under the age of thirteen. It establishes requirements for operators of websites and online services directed towards children, ensuring that parental consent is obtained before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children. This act was enacted to protect children's privacy and safety in the increasingly digital world by placing strict guidelines on how their information can be handled.

Other acts mentioned, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), primarily focus on educational records and the privacy of students, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) deals with the protection of medical information. The Online Privacy Protection Act is less specific than COPPA and does not focus specifically on children. Therefore, COPPA is the correct answer as it directly relates to the protection of children’s personal information online.