COPPA Compliance Made Simple: A Developer's Guide

COPPA—the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act—has been protecting children's privacy since 1998. But many developers still find it confusing. Let's break it down into simple, actionable steps.

What is COPPA?

COPPA is a US federal law that protects the privacy of children under 13. It applies to any website or app that:

📋 COPPA Applies If...

Your site/app is directed at children under 13
This includes apps designed for kids or with child-oriented content.

You have actual knowledge you're collecting data from children under 13
Even if not intended for kids, if you know children are using it, COPPA applies.

"Personal information" includes obvious things like names and addresses, but also cookies, IP addresses, photos, and audio recordings.

The Main Requirements

✓5 Key COPPA Requirements

Post a clear Privacy Policy disclosing what data you collect, how you use it, and how parents can access/delete it

Obtain Verifiable Parental Consent before collecting data from children under 13 using FTC-approved methods

Give Parents Access to review and request deletion of their child's information at any time

Keep Data Secure with reasonable security procedures to protect children's information

Retain Data Only as Long as Necessary and delete it once no longer needed for original purpose

FTC-Approved Consent Methods

Common COPPA Mistakes

⚠️ Top 3 COPPA Compliance Mistakes

Mistake #1: "We don't collect children's data, so COPPA doesn't apply"
If children under 13 can access your site/app, you likely collect some personal information—even if it's just IP addresses or device IDs. COPPA applies.

Mistake #2: Relying on self-reported age
Asking "Are you 13 or older?" and taking the answer at face value isn't enough. You can't knowingly collect information from children just because they lied about their age.

Mistake #3: Treating 12-year-olds like 18-year-olds
COPPA protections don't expire when a child turns 13—you still need to handle their data carefully and in accordance with other privacy laws.

$50M

Maximum FTC Fine

1998

COPPA Enacted

Under 13

Protected Age Group

How App Bouncer Helps with COPPA Compliance

Age Verification

App Bouncer's biometric age verification helps you identify users under 13 before collecting their data, preventing COPPA violations before they happen.

Parental Consent

For apps that intentionally serve children, App Bouncer can verify that the person providing consent is actually an adult (the parent), not the child.

Documentation

Our verification logs help demonstrate compliance efforts if you ever face an FTC inquiry.

Building a COPPA-Compliant App

1

Determine if COPPA Applies

Is your app directed at children under 13? Or could children under 13 use it? If yes to either, COPPA likely applies.

2

Conduct a Data Inventory

Document all personal information you collect: direct inputs (forms, messages), automatic collection (IP addresses, device IDs), and third-party collection (analytics, ads).

3

Implement Age Verification

Add real age verification to identify users under 13 before collecting their data.

4

Create Privacy Policy & Consent Flow

Draft a clear privacy policy and implement verifiable parental consent mechanisms.

5

Establish Data Access & Deletion Procedures

Create processes for parents to review and delete their child's information.

6

Regular Compliance Audits

Schedule periodic reviews of your data practices and compliance procedures.