The Federal Trade Commission has proposed significant changes to enhance the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, which restricts the online tracking of children by various digital services. The new rules would limit the use of children’s data for advertising and prolonging the time they spend on platforms. The changes would also strengthen security requirements and limit the collection of student data by educational tech providers. The chair of the FTC, Lina M. Khan, emphasized that the new rules prioritize safeguarding children’s data and prohibit firms from outsourcing their responsibilities to parents. The proposal is up for public comment for 60 days before a final vote by the commission.
