COPPA
U.S. regulation requiring parental consent for child data collection
EU AI Act
EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance
Quick Verdict
COPPA mandates parental consent for kids' data on US sites, while EU AI Act imposes risk-based rules on AI systems EU-wide. Companies adopt COPPA for child privacy compliance, EU AI Act for safe AI market access and innovation.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Mandates verifiable parental consent for children under 13
- Targets operators of child-directed websites and apps
- Expansive personal info including geolocation and device IDs
- Imposes FTC penalties up to $43,792 per violation
- Grants parents data access review and deletion rights
EU AI Act
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act
Key Features
- Risk-based four-tier classification framework
- Prohibitions on unacceptable-risk AI practices
- High-risk conformity assessments and CE marking
- GPAI model systemic risk obligations
- Post-market monitoring and incident reporting
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
COPPA Details
What It Is
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1998, effective April 2000, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It safeguards children under 13 from unauthorized online personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and IoT devices directed to kids or with actual knowledge of child users. Its risk-based approach mandates verifiable parental consent before collection, use, or disclosure.
Key Components
- **Verifiable parental consent (VPC)11+ methods like credit cards, video calls.
- Broad personal information definition: names, addresses, device IDs, geolocation, audio/video files.
- Privacy notices, parental access/review/deletion rights.
- Data minimization, security safeguards.
- Safe harbor self-regulatory programs for compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for covered operators to avoid penalties up to $43,792 per violation, as in YouTube's $170M fine. Mitigates enforcement risks, builds parental trust, enables child-focused services in gaming/edtech. Enhances reputation, supports global operations targeting U.S. kids.
Implementation Overview
Conduct audience analysis, post policies, deploy age gates/VPC mechanisms, audit third-parties. Applies to all sizes targeting U.S. children; SMBs use low-cost tools. No formal certification but safe harbors require audits; typical timeline 6-12 months.
EU AI Act Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, the EU AI Act, is a comprehensive horizontal regulation establishing the first risk-based framework for AI systems across sectors. It prohibits unacceptable-risk practices, regulates high-risk systems via lifecycle controls, mandates transparency for limited-risk AI, and minimally regulates others, with extraterritorial scope for EU-used outputs.
Key Components
- **Risk tiersProhibited, high-risk (Annex I/III), limited-risk, minimal-risk.
- Core requirements: risk management (Article 9), data governance (Article 10), documentation (Articles 11-13), human oversight (Article 14), cybersecurity (Article 15).
- GPAI obligations (Chapter V), conformity assessments, CE marking, EU database registration.
- Built on product-safety model with harmonized standards presumption.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for EU-market AI; drives compliance, mitigates fines (up to 7% global turnover), enhances trust/safety, enables market access, reduces risks in high-stakes sectors like employment/justice.
Implementation Overview
Phased (6-36 months); inventory/classify AI, build RMS/QMS, conformity assessments, post-market monitoring. Applies to providers/deployers globally; audits via notified bodies/national authorities. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | EU AI Act |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children's online privacy/data collection under 13 | Risk-based AI systems across sectors |
| Industry | Online services/apps targeting kids, global for US data | All AI providers/deployers, EU market focus |
| Nature | US federal law, mandatory parental consent | EU regulation, risk-tiered prohibitions/obligations |
| Testing | Verifiable parental consent mechanisms | Conformity assessments, notified bodies |
| Penalties | $43,792 per violation, FTC fines | Up to 7% global turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and EU AI Act
COPPA FAQ
EU AI Act FAQ
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