FTC Requests Public Comment for AssertID's Parental Consent Method under COPPA Rule | Practical Law

FTC Requests Public Comment for AssertID's Parental Consent Method under COPPA Rule | Practical Law

The FTC is seeking public comment on a proposed verifiable parental consent method submitted by AssertID, Inc. under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.

FTC Requests Public Comment for AssertID's Parental Consent Method under COPPA Rule

Practical Law Legal Update 4-538-1785 (Approx. 3 pages)

FTC Requests Public Comment for AssertID's Parental Consent Method under COPPA Rule

by Practical Law Intellectual Property & Technology
Published on 19 Aug 2013 • USA (National/Federal)
The FTC is seeking public comment on a proposed verifiable parental consent method submitted by AssertID, Inc. under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.
The FTC will soon publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting public comment on a proposed verifiable parental consent method submitted by AssertID, Inc. AssertID submitted the method for the FTC's approval under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule). Under the COPPA Rule, websites and services directed at children must obtain permission from the child's parents before collecting the child's personal information. The COPPA Rule allows interested parties to submit new verifiable parental consent methods to the FTC for approval. However, publication of this Federal Register notice is not FTC approval of the program. The FTC has 120 days to review the proposed methods and will then set out its conclusions in writing.
Parties must submit:
  • A detailed description of the proposed parental consent method.
  • An analysis of how the method meets the requirements for parental consent described in 16 CFR § 312.5(b)(1).
The full text of AssertID's application is available at the FTC's website here.
The FTC seeks comment on the proposed parental consent method and particularly comments on:
  • Whether this method is already covered by existing methods in Section 312.(b)(1) of the COPPA Rule.
  • If this is a new method, comments on whether the proposed parental consent method meets the requirements for parental consent in 16 CFR § 312.5(b)(1). Specifically, whether the proposed parental consent method is reasonably calculated, in light of available technology, to ensure that the person providing consent is the child's parent.
  • Whether the proposed method poses a risk to consumers' personal information. If so, does the benefit to consumers and businesses of using this method outweigh those risks.
Comments must be received before September 20, 2013, on paper or online through the FTC's website.