The Federal Trade Commission last week endorsed the Entertainment Software Rating Board's Privacy Online Program, which grants Privacy Online Certification Seals to Web sites.
FTC commissioners unanimously approved the ESRB's application for certification of its Privacy Online Program as a safe harbor under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
COPPA, which went into effect on April 21, 2000, requires Web sites that collect information from children younger than 13 to obtain parental consent and to post privacy policies.
The ESRB program evaluates the privacy policies of its participants through on-site auditing, monitoring and verification.
Companies that have earned the ESRB seal for their Web sites include Acclaim, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sega and THQ.
