The US Senate has passed the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA 2.0, with unanimous support. This legislation aims to enhance protections for users under the age of 17 by prohibiting online platforms from collecting their personal data without explicit consent.
COPPA 2.0 updates the original Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act from 1998 to address modern internet practices, particularly concerning targeted advertising that may pose risks to minors. Despite bipartisan backing, similar legislation has faced challenges in advancing through the House of Representatives.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of this bill, stating it marks significant progress in safeguarding children online. While some industry groups like NetChoice have opposed COPPA 2.0, Google has shifted its position to support the measure. Concurrently, several states, including Utah and California, have implemented their own regulations requiring age verification for accessing certain online content.