Washington (January 16, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement celebrating the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) final rule updating its Children’s Online Privacy Protect Act (COPPA) rule. Senators Markey and Bill Cassidy (D-La.) are the Senate authors of the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0).

“I applaud the Federal Trade Commission for its bipartisan action to update the COPPA Rule, helping it keep pace with the ever-evolving digital landscape,” said Senator Markey. “This updated rule strengthens critical protections for children’s personal information and reaffirms our shared commitment to safeguarding young users in the online world. By modernizing these standards, the FTC is helping to address a youth mental health crisis, driven in part by Big Tech, and create a safer digital environment that prioritizes privacy for kids and families. I thank the Commission for its leadership and dedication to protecting the most vulnerable among us through this important bipartisan effort.

“While today's action is an important step forward, Congress must still pass my Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act to extend these protections to teenagers, block targeted advertising to kids and teens, and give young people an eraser button to delete their personal information. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation into law.”

The FTC issues the COPPA rule under its authority under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which Senator Markey authored in 1998. The Commission last updated its COPPA rule in 2013. In September 2024, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed COPPA 2.0 by a voice vote. In July, the U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which included COPPA 2.0, by a 91-3 vote. In July 2023, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee unanimously passed COPPA 2.0.

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