The US Federal Trade Commission is currently proposing new changes to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 in what may be its biggest step to protect consumer privacy in over a decade.
The regulators are pushing to strengthen the rules to keep companies from tracking and monetizing children's data on the internet.
Since it is mostly impossible to keep children away from social media, the FTC is proposing to prohibit online services from collecting personal details from children's devices.
FTC proposes strengthening children’s privacy rule to further limit companies’ ability to monetize children’s data: https://t.co/A4cbbX0Sn2 /1
— FTC (@FTC) December 20, 2023
Among the proposed prohibitions are the collection of phone numbers, geolocation, and any photos or videos that depict a child's image. The rule will apply to children under the age of 13.
Attempts to collect under the guise of "support for internal operations" like push notifications will also be considered a violation.
The FTC said these new regulations will "shift the burden" of online safety from parents alone to the apps and digital services exploiting children's data.
Increasing Exploitation and Monetization of Children's Data
The proposal for a new ruling comes amidst growing concerns about digital service providers and internet platforms still allowing children on their sites unprotected.
The FTC has already filed numerous complaints against large tech companies for the failure of effective age restrictions to their content feed.
Reports of social media apps showing targeted ads to children without parents' permission have been becoming more common, according to the FTC filing.
Amazon, Google, Epic Games, and TikTok have all paid millions of dollars for settlement after being found guilty of violating the rule.
Also Read: TikTok is Allegedly Allowing Users Under 13 to Stay on the Platform
How to Protect Children's Data from Companies
While the FTC continues its fight to regulate companies in collecting unsolicited data from its underage users, parents and guardians of children are still advised to protect their children's privacy on the internet.
It is recommended to not allow children under the age of 13 to have unmonitored access to social media platforms.
Enabling child-protection mode can help protect children from accessing apps and programs that may expose them to the unprotected world of the internet.
Related Article: Meta Whistleblower Claims Platform Cannot be Trusted With Children
