Children’s data privacy bills overview:
- Who: The Senate Commerce Committee advanced two children’s data privacy bills.
- Why: If passed, the bipartisan bills will enhance children’s data privacy protection.
- Where: The bills have been sent to the Senate floor for a vote.
On July 27, the Senate Commerce Committee put forth two bipartisan children’s data privacy bills intended to increase safety protections for children, Law360 reports.
The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act would amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to protect children ages 16 and younger. The current law only offers protections for children up to age 13.
The proposed bill would also improve the ability to access, correct and delete personal data and prohibit targeted marketing to children age 16 and under.
The Kids Online Safety Act, on the other hand, is targeted at social media platforms and would obligate them to take steps to prevent harm to youth. This bill was introduced in response to a leak of internal documents from Facebook that show how social media negatively affects children.
Despite the widespread support from the committee, several lawmakers have recommended changes to the bills before the Senate votes on them.
Children’s data privacy bills ‘send a loud message to Big Tech,’ senator says
“The Senate Commerce Committee this morning took a historic step towards stopping Big Tech’s predatory behavior from harming kids every day,” Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, says in a statement. “We need to send a loud message to Big Tech that enough is enough. Enough prioritizing money over mental health. Enough prioritizing profits over people.”
Sen. Roger Wicker, a Republican from Massachusetts, noted that he appreciates the effort that the committee has spent on the children’s data privacy bills but that “the need for a national law that provides data protections for everyone must be this committee’s priority.”
In his March 1 State of the Union address, President Joe Biden urged Congress to stop social media companies from targeting children with advertisements and collecting their personal data.
Last week, the House Commerce Committee advanced the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, a bipartisan bill that would enhance privacy protections for consumers of all ages and strengthen children’s data privacy rights.
Congress is not alone in its attempt to protect children’s data privacy. Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission warned education technology companies that the agency would “fully enforce” children’s data privacy laws that limit the collection, use and retention of children’s data.
What do you think about the Senate Commerce Committee’s children’s data privacy protection bills? Join the discussion in the comments below!
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