Federal Privacy Bill Sets Up Confusion Over Using Kids’ Data

A federal privacy bill reshaping decades-old standards for how companies treat the data of minors would force companies to take a more holistic approach to their compliance programs.

The measure, called the “American Privacy Rights Act” or “APRA,” was approved by a House subcommitee Thursday. APRA combines proposed updates to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and a comprehensive privacy bill discussion draft, in a recalibration of Congress’s recent focus on children’s privacy.

If the bill becomes law, practitioners and privacy professionals will have to consider how kids and teens’ privacy fits into their comprehensive consumer privacy programs, rather ...