The Federal Trade Commission proposed updates to strengthen the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, shifting the burden of online safety from parents to apps and digital services. The changes include turning off targeted advertising by default for children under 13 and prohibiting the use of personal details to keep children on platforms longer. Security requirements for online services collecting children’s data will be strengthened and limits will be placed on the collection of student data by educational tech providers. Lina M. Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission, emphasized the need to safeguard children’s data from being hoarded and monetized by companies. Members of the public have 60 days to comment on the proposed changes before the commission votes on them.
