COPPA
U.S. regulation requiring parental consent for children's online data
CAA
U.S. federal law for air quality protection and emissions control
Quick Verdict
COPPA protects children's online privacy under 13 via parental consent for data collection, while CAA regulates air emissions through NAAQS, permits, and monitoring. Online operators adopt COPPA for FTC compliance; emitters use CAA to meet EPA standards and avoid penalties.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Verifiable parental consent mandatory before data collection
- Broad PII definition includes persistent IDs and geolocation
- Targets child-directed operators with actual knowledge standard
- Parental rights to access review and delete data
- FTC enforcement with $43,792 penalties per violation
CAA
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.)
Key Features
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants
- State Implementation Plans (SIPs) and nonattainment planning
- Technology-based NSPS and MACT/NESHAP standards
- Title V operating permits consolidating requirements
- Multi-vector enforcement with penalties and sanctions
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
COPPA Details
What It Is
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1998, effective 2000, enforced by the FTC. It protects children under 13 from unauthorized online personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and services directed at kids or with actual knowledge of users' age. Core approach mandates parental control via verifiable parental consent (VPC) before collection, use, or disclosure, with 2013 amendments expanding scope to persistent identifiers, geolocation, and multimedia.
Key Components
- **VPC mechanisms11+ methods like credit card verification, video calls.
- **Personal information10+ categories including names, device IDs, photos/videos.
- **Operator obligationsPrivacy policies, data security, parental access/review/deletion rights.
- **Compliance modelSelf-certification, safe harbors (e.g., ESRB, iKeepSafe), FTC audits/enforcement.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives legal compliance to avoid $43,792 per-violation fines (e.g., YouTube's $170M). Mitigates risks from edtech, gaming, IoT; builds parental trust; enables global operations targeting U.S. kids.
Implementation Overview
Assess audience for child appeal, implement age screens/VPC, minimize data collection, post policies. Applies to all commercial operators; high burden for small businesses but tools like generators aid. No formal certification but FTC oversight via complaints/settlements. Typical for websites/apps: 6-12 months setup.
CAA Details
What It Is
The Clean Air Act (CAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., is a comprehensive U.S. federal statute establishing the national framework for protecting public health and welfare from air pollution. Its primary purpose is to regulate emissions from stationary and mobile sources through ambient standards and technology-based controls under a cooperative federalism model.
Key Components
- NAAQS for six criteria pollutants (ozone, PM, CO, Pb, SO2, NO2) with primary/secondary standards.
- SIPs, NSPS, NESHAPs/MACT, Title V permits, and specialized programs (acid rain trading, ozone protection).
- Built on ambient outcomes, source controls, planning/permitting, and enforcement pillars; no fixed control count but extensive CFR rules.
- Compliance via state-administered, federally enforceable permits.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for U.S. emitters to avoid penalties, sanctions, and suits; drives risk management, operational compliance, and ESG benefits; enables market access and efficiency via proven controls.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, permitting, controls deployment, monitoring/reporting. Applies to major sources across industries; requires audits, CEMS, SIP tracking; no certification but ongoing enforcement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | CAA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children's online privacy under 13 | Air quality and emissions control |
| Industry | Online services, apps, adtech | Manufacturing, energy, all emitters |
| Nature | Mandatory FTC regulation | Mandatory EPA regulation |
| Testing | Parental consent verification | CEMS, stack testing, audits |
| Penalties | $43,792 per violation, $170M fines | Civil penalties, sanctions, FIPs |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and CAA
COPPA FAQ
CAA FAQ
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