What is the primary objective of **COPPA**?

**The primary objective of COPPA is to protect the online privacy of children under 13 by placing parents in control of personal information collection.** Enacted in 1998 and effective April 21, 2000, COPPA requires operators of commercial websites, online services, and apps directed to children—or with actual knowledge of collecting their data—to obtain verifiable parental consent (VPC) before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information such as names, addresses, device IDs, geolocation data, or audio/video files [1][2][7].

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **COPPA**?

**Operators of commercial websites, online services, mobile apps, and IoT devices directed to children under 13, or with actual knowledge of collecting their personal information, must comply with COPPA.** This includes entities benefiting from data collection like ad networks, with extraterritorial reach to services targeting U.S. children; non-profits are exempt unless commercial activities apply [2][3][7].

Does **COPPA** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**COPPA does not mandate external audits or third-party certification for all operators but allows participation in FTC-approved safe harbor programs.** These self-regulatory programs, such as iKeepSafe (approved 2014) or ESRB (modified 2018), involve audits by approved entities to demonstrate compliance [1][3].

How often should an assessment for **COPPA** be performed?

**COPPA does not prescribe a fixed frequency for assessments, but operators must conduct ongoing reviews to ensure continuous compliance with evolving data practices and FTC guidance.** Regular evaluations are essential post-2013 amendments and amid FTC regulatory reviews, such as the 2019 comment periods [1][7].

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **COPPA**?

**Non-compliance with COPPA results in civil penalties up to $43,792 per violation, enforced by the FTC as unfair or deceptive practices.** High-profile cases include YouTube's $170 million fine in 2019 for unconsented tracking on child-directed content; state AGs may also pursue actions [3][7].

Can **COPPA** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**COPPA serves as a standalone U.S. federal law and is not formally mapped to other frameworks in its regulations.** However, its parental consent and data minimization principles align conceptually with global child privacy requirements, though operators must address COPPA independently for U.S. children [2][9].

What is the first step to begin implementing **COPPA**?

**The first step to implement COPPA is to conduct an audience analysis to determine if your service is directed to children under 13 or has actual knowledge of their users.** This involves reviewing content appeal, traffic analytics, and behavioral signals before posting privacy policies and securing VPC mechanisms [2][7][10].

What is the primary objective of **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) establishes a graded cybersecurity protection system for all network operators in China to prevent harm to national security, social order, and public interests.** It classifies systems into five levels based on compromise impact, mandating commensurate technical, management, physical, and personnel controls per GB/T 22239-2020, GB/T 25070-2019, and GB/T 28448-2019 standards.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**All network operators in mainland China, including domestic firms, foreign-invested enterprises, and multinationals, must comply with MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) under Article 21 of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law.** This covers operators of IT systems, cloud platforms, IoT, big data, and industrial controls, enforced by Ministry of Public Security and local PSBs.

Does **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) mandates external security reviews by licensed Chinese firms for Level 2+ systems, with PSB approval required.** Reviews score compliance (minimum 75/100) across technical and management domains; Level 3+ needs annual evaluations per GB/T 28448-2019.

How often should an assessment for **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be performed?

**MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) requires re-evaluations for Level 2+ systems: biennially for Level 2, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5.** Self-assessments and changes (e.g., cloud migration) trigger interim reviews.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) results in fines up to RMB 100,000+, operational suspensions, business license denial, and intensified PSB inspections.** Severe cases link to broader sanctions under Cybersecurity Law, as seen in RMB 223 million bank fines.

Can **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) control domains—physical, network, data, governance—map to ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST CSF categories.** Organizations leverage existing ISMS for gap analysis, though MLPS adds prescriptive grading, PSB oversight, and data localization.

What is the first step to begin implementing **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The first step for MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) implementation is conducting an impact-based self-classification of all systems into Levels 1-5.** Inventory assets, assess harm to national security/social order per GB/T 22239-2020, document rationale, and file with local PSB within 30 days for Level 2+.

COPPA vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Standards Comparison

COPPA

Mandatory

1998

U.S. regulation for protecting children's online privacy under 13

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

N/A

China's regulation for multi-level network security protection

Quick Verdict

COPPA protects kids under 13 from online data collection via parental consent in US/global apps, while MLPS 2.0 mandates graded cybersecurity for all China networks. Companies adopt COPPA for child privacy compliance; MLPS for legal operations in China.

Children Privacy

COPPA

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Mandates verifiable parental consent before collecting children's data
Expansive PII definition includes persistent IDs and geolocation
Targets child-directed websites, apps, and online services
FTC enforcement with $43,792 penalties per violation
Parental rights to access, review, and delete data

Standard

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five impact-based protection levels for systems
Mandatory PSB registration and audits for Level 2+
Technical controls for cloud, IoT, big data
Governance with role separation and training
Enforcement by Public Security Bureaus

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 effective 2000, is a U.S. federal regulation enforced by the FTC. It safeguards children under 13 from unauthorized personal data collection by commercial websites, apps, and services. Core approach mandates verifiable parental consent (VPC) prior to collection, use, or disclosure, with strict scope for child-directed operators or those with actual knowledge.

Key Components

**VPC mechanisms11+ methods like credit card verification, video calls.
Broad **PII definitionNames, addresses, persistent IDs (IP, device), geolocation, audio/video files.
Obligations: Privacy notices, data security, parental access/review/deletion rights, data minimization.
Safe harbor programs (e.g., ESRB, iKeepSafe) for audited compliance under 16 CFR Part 312.

Why Organizations Use It

Avoids crippling FTC penalties ($43,792/violation; YouTube $170M fine). Ensures legal compliance for U.S./global child services, mitigates reputation risks, builds parent trust. Enables safe edtech, gaming, IoT amid rising enforcement.

Implementation Overview

Assess child appeal/actual knowledge; implement age gates, VPC, policies. Key steps: Data audits, secure handling, third-party reviews. Applies to commercial operators targeting U.S. kids; SMBs use tools like Termly, enterprises leverage safe harbors. No formal certification but FTC audits/enforcement.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) is China's mandatory cybersecurity regulation under the 2017 Cybersecurity Law (Article 21). It is a graded protection framework classifying information systems into five levels based on potential harm to national security, social order, and public interests. The risk-based approach mandates technical, governance, and organizational controls scaled by level.

Key Components

Core domains: physical security, network protection, data security, access control, monitoring, governance.
Standards: GB/T 22239-2019 (basics), GB/T 25070-2019 (technical), GB/T 28448-2019 (evaluation).
Built on impact assessment; Levels 2+ require third-party audits (75/100 score minimum).
Compliance model: self-classification, PSB filing, periodic re-evaluations.

Why Organizations Use It

Legal obligation for all China network operators; avoids fines, suspensions.
Enhances resilience, aligns with data laws (DSL, PIPL).
Builds regulator trust, enables market access.

Implementation Overview

Phased: scoping, classification, gap analysis, remediation, audits, ongoing monitoring.
Applies to all sizes/industries in China; Level 3+ needs annual audits. (178 words)

Key Differences

Aspect	COPPA	MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
Scope	Children's online privacy, data collection under 13
Industry	Websites/apps targeting kids, global if US data
Nature	US federal law, FTC enforced, mandatory
Testing	Self-compliance, FTC audits/investigations
Penalties	$43k per violation, e.g. YouTube $170M