COPPA
U.S. regulation requiring parental consent for children's online data
ISO 26000
International guidance standard for social responsibility
Quick Verdict
COPPA mandates parental consent for kids' online data in U.S. digital services, enforced by FTC fines. ISO 26000 provides voluntary global guidance on broad social responsibility. Companies adopt COPPA for legal compliance, ISO 26000 for ethical strategy and stakeholder trust.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Mandates verifiable parental consent for under-13 data collection
- Expansive PII definition includes persistent IDs and geolocation
- Targets child-directed sites or known-child data operators
- Imposes FTC enforcement with $43,792 per-violation penalties
- Grants parents review, deletion, and data revocation rights
ISO 26000
ISO 26000:2010 Guidance on social responsibility
Key Features
- Seven core subjects covering holistic SR issues
- Seven principles underpinning responsible behavior
- Non-certifiable guidance for all organizations
- Stakeholder engagement for prioritization
- Integration into governance and operations
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), a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1998 and effective 2000, enforced by the FTC. Protects children under 13 from unauthorized personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and IoT devices. Employs parental-control approach with verifiable consent before collection, use, or disclosure.
Key Components
- Core obligations: privacy notices, verifiable parental consent (VPC), data access/review/deletion rights, security safeguards.
- Expansive personal information (PII): names, addresses, persistent IDs, geolocation, audio/video files.
- Scope: child-directed services or actual knowledge of child users; extraterritorial for U.S.-targeted.
- No formal certification; safe harbors via self-regulatory programs.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal compliance avoids crippling fines (e.g., YouTube's $170M). Mitigates privacy risks, builds parental trust, enables safe child-focused services. Enhances reputation amid rising enforcement.
Implementation Overview
Assess audience for child appeal, post policies, deploy age screens/VPC methods (11+ approved), minimize data, secure storage. Applies globally to U.S. child data; suits apps/gaming/edtech. FTC audits/enforcement-focused, no mandatory certification.
ISO 26000 Details
What It Is
ISO 26000:2010 is an international guidance standard on social responsibility (SR), applicable to all organizations regardless of size, type, or location. It provides a voluntary framework—not certifiable requirements—to define SR, guide behavior, and integrate practices holistically. Its principles-based approach emphasizes context-specific application through stakeholder engagement and impact assessment.
Key Components
- **Seven core subjectsorganizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement.
- **Seven principlesaccountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholder interests, rule of law, international norms, human rights.
- Built on multi-stakeholder consensus; no fixed controls but guidance for prioritization and integration.
- Non-certifiable model focuses on self-assessment, reporting, and transparency.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances sustainability commitment, risk management, and stakeholder trust.
- Aligns with SDGs, OECD, GRI for ESG reporting and due diligence.
- Builds resilience, reputation, and competitive edge without certification burdens.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assess materiality, engage stakeholders, integrate into governance/operations.
- Cross-functional teams, training, KPIs; fits all sizes/industries.
- No audits required; uses ISO tools like Communication Protocol for credible claims. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | ISO 26000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children's online privacy under 13 | Broad social responsibility core subjects |
| Industry | Online services, apps targeting kids | All organizations, all sectors globally |
| Nature | Mandatory U.S. federal law, FTC enforced | Voluntary non-certifiable guidance |
| Testing | FTC audits, compliance reviews | Self-assessment, no formal audits |
| Penalties | $43k+ per violation fines | No legal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and ISO 26000
COPPA FAQ
ISO 26000 FAQ
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