FTC poised to release new rules to protect children’s online privacy

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is expected to soon overhaul regulations aimed at protecting the privacy of children when they are online.

At a recent event on Capitol Hill, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said he hopes to announce his update to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) this coming week. The agency proposed a draft revision in August, but companies including Facebook, Google and Disney warned that the changes would burden websites, stifle online commerce and infringe on constitutionally protected free-speech rights. Although the agency is likely to tweak some of its proposals, observers expect the FTC to move ahead with a substantial overhaul of COPPA.