Story perspectives

FTC Eases COPPA Rules to Boost Age Verification Efforts

2/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on February 25, 2026, a policy that it will not enforce COPPA against operators using age verification technologies.
The decision aims to encourage age verification while ensuring data is collected solely for verification.
Operators must meet conditions, including not retaining data longer than necessary and keeping it confidential.
The FTC will review COPPA again to address age verification mechanisms, potentially loosening future rules.

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Story summary

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on February 25, 2026, a policy that it will not enforce COPPA against operators using age verification technologies.
The decision aims to encourage age verification while ensuring data is collected solely for verification.
Operators must meet conditions, including not retaining data longer than necessary and keeping it confidential.
The FTC will review COPPA again to address age verification mechanisms, potentially loosening future rules.