Expert Q & A

Who can I complain to if a web site gathers my kid's information without my permission?

The Federal Trade Commission is a good start. The FTC helps enforce the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits web sites from collecting personal information from children under age 13. Search the FTC’s web site for COPPA or Kidz Privacy to find its online privacy tips for protecting kids’ data. You can also use the FTC web site to file a complaint.

And make sure to send an email to the web site creator to insist that your child’s data is removed from the site or service. In the future, one preventive measure is to only use web sites that are certified by companies like TRUSTe, which ensures privacy standards are met.

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