FTC Chair Plans Work on Children's Online Privacy

Image copyright: CQ Roll Call [via NBC News]

The Facts

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairwoman Lina Khan announced that the agency will push forward new actions and policies to protect children's online privacy.

  • Khan's plans include toughened enforcement of kids' privacy laws already in place, with a specific focus on social media companies' algorithms that target children.


The Spin

Democratic narrative

Parents and teachers can't be the only defense against online snooping on children. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was written in 1998 and needs to be updated for today's digital world. If the FTC wants to carry the baton on this matter, it should get it done.

Republican narrative

We knew Khan was going to go on an activist rampage as soon as the FTC had a Democratic majority. Her scrutiny of Big Tech goes hand in hand with her plans to attack the major oil companies and make it difficult for corporations to merge – things the government should keep its nose out of.


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