The 2024 FTC amendments
The FTC published proposed COPPA amendments in early 2024 that, if finalised, will: (1) require separate verifiable parental consent for sharing personal information with third parties for targeted advertising, (2) clarify that schools cannot consent for behavioural advertising, (3) restrict push-notification engagement loops aimed at retention. Even before final rulemaking, the FTC has signalled enforcement priorities through consent decrees.
Verifiable parental consent — five accepted methods
- Signed consent form (paper, fax, electronic signature)
- Credit/debit card transaction
- Toll-free phone call to trained personnel
- Video call with trained personnel
- Government-issued ID check (with deletion after verification)
Email-plus is allowed only for limited internal uses. The FTC list is closed — you cannot invent a sixth method.
Safe Harbor programs
Four FTC-approved Safe Harbor programs (kidSAFE, PRIVO, ESRB, iKeepSafe) certify products as COPPA-compliant. Certification is voluntary but reduces enforcement risk and is accepted by Apple and Google's family programs.