Privacy groups urge FTC to reject delay in children's privacy rules

Privacy advocates urged the Federal Trade Commission to reject a proposed delay in rules aimed at protecting the privacy of children online.

In a letter to FTC Chairman Edith Ramirez, the groups argued that delaying the rules, as app-makers have requested, would be "unwarranted," "harmful to children" and "undermine the goals of both Congress and the FTC." The letter was signed by the Benton Foundation, Consumers Union, the Center for Digital Democracy, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and others. App developers have asked the FTC to delay the implementation of the rules until Jan. 1, 2014, saying they need more time to ensure their products are in compliance. But the privacy groups argue that companies have had plenty of time to adjust their privacy policies since the FTC announced the new rules in December. Although the FTC has yet to issue a "Frequently Asked Questions" document, it has already provided an advisory and other guidance to businesses on how to comply with the rules, the groups said.