The U.S. Senate has passed the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection (COPPA 2.0) Act, legislation sponsored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The bill aims to strengthen protections for children and teenagers online by updating data privacy regulations.
“Kids today grow up online. They should be protected when they do,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We’re giving parents peace of mind by protecting their kids’ personal information.”
The act would ban targeted advertising directed at children and teenagers, set data minimization standards, and introduce an “Eraser Button” that allows users to delete all collected information on a child or teenager. It would also update the original COPPA law by prohibiting internet companies from collecting sensitive data on users aged 13-16 without consent and closing existing compliance gaps.
Senator Cassidy is a representative of Louisiana in the U.S. Senate and has served since winning election in 2014, according to his official website. He previously held seats in the U.S. House for Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District beginning in 2008 and earlier served in the Louisiana State Senate. Cassidy holds undergraduate and medical degrees from Louisiana State University, as stated on his official website. He serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, where he influences policy areas including health care, labor, education, and retirement.
Cassidy’s office staff includes senior positions such as a first assistant, according to his official website.
