WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after an announcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that they are seeking public comment on proposed revisions to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPPA) Rule to account for changing online technologies and practices.

“I commend the FTC for proposing a much needed update to the COPPA Rule,” Rockefeller said.  “This important children's protection law must meet the challenges of the 21^st century.  COPPA was passed over a decade ago, and the online and technological landscape has changed considerably since then.  I think everyone would agree that we need to do more to protect our children's online privacy, and today's proposal helps in that effort.”

The Commerce Committee has held several hearings to address online privacy this Congress.  At a May 2011 hearing on consumer privacy and protection in the mobile marketplace, Chairman Rockefeller called on FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck to complete the Commission’s revision of its COPPA Rule to provide parents and their children with stronger regulatory protection when it comes to emerging online technologies, including mobile applications.  Rockefeller also questioned leading mobile application developers and platforms, including Google, Apple, and the trade association representing application developers on their compliance with COPPA.  The hearing came after Rockefeller sent letters to the companies requesting information on their mobile applications for kids, third party involvement, and what steps they have taken to ensure compliance with COPPA.

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