COPPA
U.S. regulation mandating parental consent for children's online privacy
GDPR UK
UK regulation for personal data protection and privacy.
Quick Verdict
COPPA protects US children under 13 from online data collection via parental consent, while GDPR UK mandates comprehensive personal data protection for all UK individuals with strict accountability. Companies adopt COPPA for child-directed services, GDPR UK for broad compliance.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Requires verifiable parental consent before child data collection
- Targets operators of child-directed services for under-13s
- Broad PII definition includes geolocation and persistent IDs
- Grants parents data review, deletion, and revocation rights
- FTC enforcement with up to $43,792 per-violation penalties
GDPR UK
UK General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Seven enforceable data processing principles
- Accountability requiring demonstrable compliance
- Data subject rights including erasure and portability
- 72-hour personal data breach notifications
- Mandatory DPIAs for high-risk processing
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), enacted 1998 and effective 2000, is a U.S. federal regulation enforced by the FTC. It protects children under 13 from unauthorized online data collection by commercial websites, apps, and services targeting kids or knowingly collecting their data. Core approach: verifiable parental consent and control over personal information (PII).
Key Components
- Verifiable parental consent (VPC) prior to PII collection/use/disclosure.
- Expansive **PIInames, persistent IDs, geolocation, audio/video with child's likeness.
- Privacy notices, parental review/deletion rights, data security, minimization.
- Safe harbor programs for audited compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for legal compliance; avoids $43,792/violation penalties (e.g., YouTube's $170M fine). Mitigates enforcement risks, builds parental trust, enhances reputation in edtech/gaming. Supports ethical practices amid rising child online activity.
Implementation Overview
Assess child-directed status, deploy age screens/VPC (credit card, video), post policies, secure data. Applies globally to U.S.-targeting operators, all sizes. Self-compliance or safe harbors with audits.
GDPR UK Details
What It Is
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation) is the UK's post-Brexit adaptation of the EU GDPR, a binding regulation enforced by the ICO. It governs personal data processing with a risk-based, accountability-focused approach, applying to UK-established organizations and those targeting UK individuals extraterritorially.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, security, accountability.
- Data subject rights: access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection.
- Controller/processor obligations: RoPAs, contracts, DPIAs, breach notifications.
- No formal certification; compliance via demonstrable governance and ICO enforcement (fines up to 4% global turnover).
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for legal compliance to avoid fines (£17.5M or 4% turnover).
- Enhances risk management, builds trust, enables data-driven operations.
- Provides competitive edge via privacy maturity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: governance, data mapping (RoPA), policies, training, DPIAs, audits. Applies to all sizes handling UK personal data; ongoing monitoring required, no certification but ICO audits possible. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | GDPR UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children under 13 online data collection | All personal data processing activities |
| Industry | Commercial websites, apps targeting US kids | All sectors processing UK personal data |
| Nature | US federal law enforced by FTC | UK regulation enforced by ICO |
| Testing | Safe harbor audits, parental consent verification | DPIAs for high-risk, security assessments |
| Penalties | $43,792 per violation, FTC fines | £17.5M or 4% global turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and GDPR UK
COPPA FAQ
GDPR UK FAQ
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