After several months of anticipation, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) released his Kids “Do Not Track” discussion draft bill. At face value, this bill appears to have a narrow focus of online behavioral activities toward children, which we normally define under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) as any individual younger than 13. However, such is not the case. This bill would amend COPPA to expand some marketing provisions to teens under age 18, and may, in effect, require better age screens, given teen savvy (and their propensity to lie about their age).
If enacted, this bill has the potential to create complications when marketing to the crucial college age and young adult market as more sophisticated age screens will require all to enter information that they might not want to share online.
To read the entire Rimon Alert and find out more, just check out Rep. Markey Releases a Kids Do Not Track Discussion Draft Bill.