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It's Coming - Protect My Child Registry - Compliments COPPA
6/8/2009 10:14:00 AM

by: david c ballard

Protect My Child Registry is a great compliment to the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which will be introduced sometime in the third quarter of 2009.

Pay close attention, it is the double “AA” brass ring that we need to keep our focus on. It is not easy, but it is important in maintaining a healthy Internet for the innocent, while at the same time allowing for a healthy ecommerce… “Anonymity and Accountability”

The anonymity of the Internet is unique and vital to its existence in many ways, however; without accountability, the Internet becomes a breeding ground for lies and deceits. Unfortunately, many resources are spent to police the Internet, and to maintain a balance between the two.

Fortunately, others like COPA, COPPA, and Protect My Child Registry recognized the vulnerability of our children on the Internet, and the need to act responsibly on their behalf. An attempt was made with COPA to restrict children from the dangers of adult websites; however, the law fell short and has been rendered unenforceable.

However, that did not change the fact that children, no matter how tech savvy they might be, do not possess the maturity level, which comes with years of experiences as an adult. Think of it this way, children manipulating children, an adult will see through it. An adult manipulating a child, another adult will see through it, but without the other adult, the child will not see it, and be vulnerable no matter how tech savvy he or she considers themselves.

Thank goodness, for...
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First And Only Infomediary Service Recognized By The FTC
6/9/2009 12:40:00 AM

by: david c ballard

The Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) came about because of the lack of industries compliance with the laws articulated by the FTC. In June of 1998, the FTC reported its concerns regarding the collection of personal information from a child under the age of 13 without the informed parental consent. Without the parental consent, the FTC considered the act a deceptive trade practice. In a report to Congress, the FTC noted that even in chat rooms, children may innocently and without request, disclose personal information such as home and school location, and possibly their email address. Congress heard from the FTC addressing parents about the dangers regarding the risks and consent to any collection and disclosure of any child’s personal information. Congress agreed with the FTC’s report and quickly made COPPA a law.

Commercial websites are now required to obtain verifiable parental consent from a child under the age of 13. It is considered unfair and deceptive trade practice not to obtain verifiable parental consent. According to the FTC, any online service that was “targeted at children” or anything the FTC determines “permits the physical or online contacting of a specific individual.”

It is no wonder sometimes during these transitions when ambiguity on the law is so wide, and commercial website owners become leery of risking not being compliant, and avoid dealing with the specific age group all together or until there is some working model that offers standardization and compliancy.

Anyone who is going to deal with children under the age of 13 should understand the children’s Internet industry and the regulations and safety concerns that apply. Failure to understand what information can be collected about children under the age of 13 and how it will be used, and whether or not the information has been accurately disclosed to parents, has proven to be a very costly error on the part of many companies.

“Privacy” and “safety” are two major components dealing with children under the age of 13 who are on the Internet. Privacy relates to the collection, maintenance, and use of personal identifiable information and the safety is the ability or capability of a child to disclose personally identifiable information through email, chat rooms, instant messaging, discussions forums, etc., possibly exposing a child to an online predator.

There are three major federal laws dealing with privacy – HIPAA, GLBA, and COPPA. Most of us have dealt with HIPAA when dealing with our doctors and our privacy. GLBA deals with the financial world and our privacy, and COPPA deals with our children under the age of 13 and their privacy. As each privacy law was introduced, each one has gone through periods of confusion as to whether or not a business was in compliancy. Moreover, there always seems to be a few companies that take the initiative and became the leaders who provide the guidance needed to navigate the new laws on how to be compliant.

One such company is Privo - the first and only infomediary service to be recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Privo Privacy Assurance Program was approved as a Safe Harbor… Privo, which has been granted Safe Harbor status under COPPA, and its industry leading partners propose to offer an interoperable Protect My Child Registry (PMCR) that would allow parents to have a voice in whether their children can participate in online environments that pose a perceived potential risk. Parents now have an agent to act on their behalf and on behalf of their child.

Protect My Child Registry will be available in the third quarter of 2009 and is that exact reference I made earlier to certain companies that emerge as leaders and provide a benefit and service for others who would like to participate in the market for children under the age of 13 and knowing they are compliant. The Child Registry will be an important tool for parents to use in keeping their children safe on the Internet.

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