Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, PRIVACY NEWS: “Do Not Track Kids Act” aims to bolster online privacy, (Nov 15, 2013)

By Brian Hammond,TR Daily

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation yesterday in both the House and Senate aiming to bolster children’s online privacy.

The Do Not Track Kids Act (S 1700 and HR 3481) was introduced by Sens. Edward J. Markey (D., Massachusetts) and Mark Kirk (R., Illinois) and Reps. Joe Barton (R., Texas) and Bobby Rush (D., Illinois). The bill would amend the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 and would “extend, enhance, and update” the provisions relating to the collection, use, and disclosure of children’s personal information and establish new protections for personal information of children and teens.

The bill would prohibit Internet companies from collecting personal and location information from anyone under 13 without parental consent, and anyone 13 to 15 years old without the user’s consent. It also would require consent of the parent or teen before sending targeted advertising to children and teens.

The bill would also establish a “Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens” to limit the collection of personal information for teens, including geolocation information, and create an “eraser button” for parents and children, permitting users to eliminate publicly available personal information content when technologically feasible. The bill also would require online companies to explain the types of personal information collected, how that information is used and disclosed, and the policies for collection of personal information.

News: Privacy