Education is changing. New technologies are allowing information to flow within schools and beyond, enabling new learning environments and providing new tools to improve the way teachers teach and the way students learn. Data-driven innovations are bringing advances in teaching and learning but are accompanied by concerns about how education data, particularly student-generated data, are being collected and used.
The Future of Privacy Forum believes that there are critical improvements to learning that are enabled by data and technology, and that the use of data and technology is not antithetical to protecting student privacy. In order to facilitate this balance, FPF equips and connects advocates, industry, policymakers, and practitioners with substantive practices, policies, and other solutions to address education privacy challenges at both the K-12 and higher ed levels.
New Survey on App Stores and Account Info Sharing – What This Means for COPPA
FPF is committed to helping the app marketplace comply with the FTC’s revised Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule. As explained in our public comments filed with the FTC, we think that one way to help companies and parents alike is to encourage collaboration. For example, by leveraging a common platform, “operators” under the […]
FTC Provides Limited “Safe Harbor” for Users of a “Do Not Track for Kids” Flag
The new Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule that went into effect earlier this month restricts almost all forms of tracking across child-directed sites other than for a set of limited “internal operations purposes.” Child-directed sites are now strictly liable for any third party tracking on their sites that do not meet COPPA’s limited […]
Getting COPPA Right with a New Directed at Children Signal
One of the most important provisions of the updated Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) rule that took effect yesterday is the extension of child privacy protection to behavioral advertising, the practice of tracking users across online sites and services to tailor advertising. The Future of Privacy Forum supported the Federal Trade Commission’s move to […]
FTC's Second Kid's App Report: Disclosures Not Making the Grade
The Federal Trade Commission has just released of their second report reviewing the practices of apps targeted to kids. “Apps are often free, which is great for kids and easy on their parents wallet.” FPF Co-Chair and Director, Jules Polonetsky said, ” but when free means in return for data, app developers must understand the legal obligations that come […]
August 2, 2012 – FTC proposes an update to ancient online law, COPPA, Marketplace Tech
April of 2000. Everybody loved “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Movie fans flocked to “U-571,” which I don’t remember at all. And Sisqo topped the charts. That month also saw enactment of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA.
Get Your Free Privacy eBook!
By David Hoffman, Intel’s director of security policy and global privacy officer Intel is pleased to announce a special promotion in recognition of Data Privacy Day. Intel has arranged with the Stanford Student Association and Amazon for free downloads of the electronic version of Matt Ivester’s excellent book LOL…OMG. This book describes why individuals need […]
FPF Comments on Proposed COPPA Rule
FPF submitted comments to the FTC on proposed amendments to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. FPF commends the FTC’s commitment to protect the privacy of children in a rapidly developing online marketplace. FPF’s comments focus on amendments affecting those areas that correspond with the organization’s specific expertise and experience, namely: (I) The proposal to […]
Dec. 1, 2011 – Kids and Technology: Rules to Use, Washington Post
The survey firm Nielsen recently asked kids which electronics they wanted most this holiday season, and 44 percent put the iPad at the top of their list! Kids love technology, but they should know these important rules for using a mobile device:
FTC Is Not Surprised That A Lot Of Children Are On Facebook
Mamie Kresses, Senior Attorney for the FTC’s Division of Advertising Practices, said she thought the findings from the research “miss the mark in some places” and that it is no surprise that there are a lot of kids on Facebook. Kresses added that parents want to be involved in their kids’ online activity and “that is what COPPA is about.” She emphasized that social networks have the option of providing notice and consent to allow children under 13 to participate under COPPA, while also recognizing that COPPA has costs associated with it.
FPF Advisory Board Member Professor Danielle Citron Comments on Study Showing Parents Facilitating Facebook Use for Kids Under 13
FPF Advisory Board Member Danielle Citron, the Lois K. Macht Research Professor of Law at the University of Maryland School of Law comments in Concurring Opinions on a study released this week by Danah Boyd, Eszter Hargittai, Jason Schultz, and John Palfrey that Professor Citron says “sheds new light on COPPA’s failings” and underscores the need for universal privacy […]