The Federal Trade Commission announced late last month its intent to propose a two-year extension of a portion of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
COPPA requires Web sites that collect information from children younger than 13 to obtain parental consent and to post privacy policies. It took effect April 21, 2000.
The act stated that verifiable parental consent via e-mail would be acceptable until April 21, 2002. The FTC proposal would extend the deadline until 2004. The original deadline was set in anticipation of advancements in secure electronic mechanisms for obtaining parental consent, which are not yet widely used, the FTC said.
The FTC has invited the public to submit written comments about this proposal prior to Nov. 30. Further information as well as a list of questions the commission compiled in relation to the proposal is available at http://www.ftc.gov/os/2001/10/coppafrn.htm.
