Ratings

The Kids Seal Requirements are used by websites, mobile apps and other online services, including connected products (collectively, “Services”) that are directed to children under thirteen (13) years old (“Children”) or that the operator has actual knowledge collects or maintains personal information and data from Children.

No.  To be approved to display our Kids Seal, the operator of the Service must first become a member of the Privacy Certified program (the “Program”), which includes a contractual agreement and an annual membership fee.

The member-operator must then submit the Service for certification.  We conduct an initial, up-front privacy assessment of all Services submitted to us for certification to ensure the Service complies with the applicable program requirements.  Upon the resolution of all compliance issues we identify during our initial assessment, the Service is approved to utilize the applicable Program seal.

Yes.  Once a Service has been certified and approved to utilize the Kids Seal, we monitor that Service so long as the operator is a member of the Program.  As part of our monitoring efforts, we conduct bi-annual reviews of the Service.  We also conduct reviews when we are notified of changes to the Service that could impact the Service’s data collection and use practices.  And, at times, we perform random spot checks.

First and foremost, the Kids Seal Requirements are intended to ensure the Service complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and the regulations and guidance promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”).  With that in mind, the Service must provide access to a public-facing privacy statement, which must disclose, among other things:

• The personal information and data collected on the Services;
• How the information is used;
• Whether it is shared or disclosed and, if so, how;
• How parents and guardians can exercise their rights, including the rights to access, review, correct, delete, and prevent the disclosure of their Child’s personal information and data to third parties;
• How the personal information and data is kept secure and what happens in the event of a breach;
• How you are notified of changes to the privacy statement; and
• How you can contact the operator or us if you have a privacy-related question or complaint.

Because the Services are directed to Children, there are restrictions placed on the collection and use of personal information and data.  Specifically, unless an exception applies, the Service may only collect personal information and data from a Child if it provides direct notice to and obtains verifiable consent from a parent or guardian.  The Kids Seal Requirements require members to abide by these requirements, and we perform our reviews to ensure it.

In addition, operators agree:

• To work with us to resolve your privacy complaints and questions;
• To maintain reasonable procedures to protection the confidentiality, security and integrity of your personal information and data; and
• Not to collect personal information and data unless it is necessary and being utilized.