GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy
COPPA
U.S. regulation protecting children's online privacy under 13.
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates comprehensive personal data protection for EU residents globally, while COPPA requires parental consent for US children's online data. Companies adopt GDPR for EU compliance and fines avoidance, COPPA to protect kids and evade FTC penalties.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 - General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU entities targeting EU residents
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance through records and DPIAs
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for violations
- Enhanced data subject rights including erasure and portability
- Mandatory 72-hour personal data breach notification
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Requires verifiable parental consent before collecting kids' data
- Mandates comprehensive privacy policies and notices
- Provides parental access, review, and deletion rights
- Broad PII definition includes persistent IDs, geolocation
- FTC enforcement with up to $43,792 per-violation fines
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is a directly applicable EU regulation protecting natural persons' personal data. Its primary purpose is harmonizing data privacy across the EU with global reach via extraterritorial scope. It employs a risk-based, accountability-driven approach replacing the 1995 Data Protection Directive.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, data minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Enhanced data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection).
- Obligations like DPIAs, DPO appointment, breach notifications, Records of Processing Activities.
- Tiered fines up to €20M or 4% global turnover; enforced by national DPAs with EDPB oversight.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for entities processing EU data, it ensures legal compliance, mitigates massive fines, enhances trust, and supports Digital Single Market. Reduces risks from breaches, builds reputation, influences global standards like LGPD/CCPA.
Implementation Overview
Involves gap analysis, policy updates, training, DPIA processes, DPO designation. Applies universally to controllers/processors handling EU data; no certification but ongoing audits/compliance demonstrations. SMEs face high burdens; two-year transition allowed preparation.
COPPA Details
What It Is
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1998, effective April 2000. Administered 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. Its control-based approach mandates parental oversight via verifiable consent.
Key Components
- **Verifiable parental consent (VPC)Methods like credit card checks, video calls (11+ approved).
- Privacy notices and policies.
- Parental rights: access, review, deletion, revocation.
- Data minimization, security, limited retention.
- Expansive PII definition: names, IDs, geolocation, multimedia. Enforced via FTC with safe harbor programs.
Why Organizations Use It
Compliance avoids $43,792+ fines per violation (e.g., YouTube's $170M). It mitigates risks, builds parental/stakeholder trust, ensures reputation in gaming/edtech, and meets legal obligations for U.S.-targeted services globally.
Implementation Overview
Assess child-directed status, implement age gates/VPC, post policies, secure data. Applies to operators of any size/industry collecting kids' data. No certification but FTC audits/safe harbors; involves training, tech changes (6-12 months typical).
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | COPPA |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data of EU individuals globally | Children's online data under 13 in US |
| Industry | All sectors worldwide, any size | Online services targeting US children |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation, DPA enforcement | Mandatory US federal law, FTC enforced |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, ongoing audits | VPC mechanisms, security assessments |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover or €20M | $43,792 per violation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and COPPA
GDPR FAQ
COPPA FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Measuring CIS Controls v8.1 in the Real World: KPIs, Dashboards, and Automated Evidence for Continuous Assurance
Master CIS Controls v8.1 measurement with essential KPIs, executive-ready dashboards, and automated evidence collection for continuous assurance. Make complianc
TISAX Tabletop Exercises for ADAS Suppliers: Simulating Prototype IP Leaks and Ransomware in Hybrid Supply Chains (2025 Edition with Hero Scenario Visual)
Master TISAX 'Very High' tabletop exercises for ADAS suppliers with 2024 breach simulations like CAD leaks and ransomware. Get scripts, AAR templates, hybrid ti
Top 10 NIST CSF 2.0 Myths Busted: Separating Hype from Reality for Smarter Adoption
Bust 10 NIST CSF 2.0 myths like 'only for critical infrastructure' or 'Govern replaces Identify'. Plain-English breakdowns, evidence, and fixes for flexible ris
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
CMMC vs PRINCE2
Explore CMMC vs PRINCE2: DoD cybersecurity maturity for contractors meets structured project mgmt. Boost compliance, governance & delivery. Compare now!
IFS Food vs IATF 16949
Compare IFS Food vs IATF 16949: Food safety audits vs automotive QMS. Uncover governance, core tools, risk controls & certification strategies for peak compliance. Dive in now!
K-PIPA vs NERC CIP
Unlock K-PIPA vs NERC CIP: Korea's strict privacy law (consent, CPOs, 72h breaches) meets U.S. grid cyber standards (CIP scoping, perimeters). Compare & comply smarter.