Children's Privacy

Safe Harbor Program

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) includes a provision enabling industry groups or others to submit for Commission approval self-regulatory guidelines that implement the protections of the Commission’s final Rule. The COPPA requires the Commission to act on a request for "safe harbor" treatment within 180 days of the filing of the request, and after the proposed guidelines have been subject to notice and comment. Section 312.10 of the final Rule sets out the criteria for approval of guidelines and the materials that must be submitted as part of a safe harbor application. [16CFR Part 312 Final Rule PDF 270K]

Approved Applications

Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

Letter to Children's Advertising Review Unit (BBB) Approving CARU Program
    [PDF 296K]

Revised Application

• CARU Safe Harbor Program Requirements and Compliance Checklist[PDF 21K]
• National Advertising Procedures [PDF 35K]
• Self-Regulatory Guidelines [PDF 44K]
• Attestation [PDF 7K]
• Self Assessment Form [PDF 38K]
• CARU Initial Website Review and Seeding Form [PDF 12K]

Public Comments on Proposed Guidelines (Comment deadline: May 30, 2000)

Federal Register Notice and Request for Comment [PDF 117K]

Application Materials / Text of Proposed Guidelines [PDF 4.8M]

ESRB Privacy Online, A Division of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

16 C.F.R. Part 312: The Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule: Safe
    Harbor Program

Commission Letter Approving the Application of the Entertainment Software
    Rating Board to Modify Its Safe Harbor Program

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Submissions

• Letter Formally Submitting Proposed Revised ESRB Kids Privacy Online Seal Requirements
• Revised ESRB Kids Privacy Online Seal Requirements
• Chart Comparing the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule With the Proposed Revised ESRB Kids Privacy
  Online Seal Requirements

Former Principals and Guidelines

• Letter Approving Application of Entertainment Software Rating Board to Serve As A Safe Harbor Program
• Revised Principles and Guidelines (Final Document)
• Public Comments on Proposed Guidelines
• Federal Register Notice and Request for Comment [PDF 223K]
• Application Materials / Text of Proposed Guidelines [PDF 3.12M]

TRUSTe

Letter Approving Application of TRUSTe to Serve As A Safe Harbor Program

News Release: TRUSTe Earns "Safe Harbor" Status
     Program Will Promote Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance

Public Comments

Federal Register Notice and Request for Comment [PDF 117K]

Application Materials

• Revised License Agreement (Final Document) [PDF 161KB]
• TRUSTe Children's Self-Assessment Sheet [PDF 68KB]
• TRUSTe's Request for Commission Approval of Self Regulatory Guidelines [PDF 87 KB]
• TRUSTe Web Site Privacy Seal Program [PDF 73 KB]
• License Agreement [PDF 435 KB]

Privo, Inc.

Letter Approving Privo, Inc's Safe Harbor Program Application Under the
    Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule [PDF 26.8 KB]

• News Release

16 CFR Part 312: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Safe Harbor Proposed Self-Regulatory Guidelines: Privo, Inc. Application Under the Safe Harbor Provision of the Rule: Notice and Request for Public Comment.

• Text of the Federal Register Notice [PDF 20KB]
• Privo, Inc. Safe Harbor Application [Public Record Version] [PDF 1.9MB]
• Public Comments Received
• News Release

Pending Applications

PrivacyBot.com

Withdrawn on January 10, 2001 and will be resubmitted after obtaining guidance
    from Commission staff

Public Comments on Proposed Guidelines

Application Materials / Text of Proposed Guidelines [PDF 3.5MB]

Federal Register Notice and Request for Comment [PDF 121K]

News Release:
FTC Seeks Public Comment on First Children's Online Privacy "Safe Harbor" Application (February 28, 2000)