FTC announces to come down heavily on Ed Tech companies illegally surveilling minors

In an open meeting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC ) in the USA  FTC voted 5-0 and  adopted a new policy statement announcing that it will come down heavily on educational companies that illegally survey children while they are learning online. 

The statement mentions that it is illegal for companies to coerce parents and schools to forfeit children’s privacy rights  in order to do schoolwork online or attend class remotely.  This is against the  Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) where it specifies that companies cannot deny children access to educational technologies when their parents or school refuse to sign up for commercial surveillance.  Ed tech providers must comply fully with all provisions of the COPPA Rule. In case a company fails to follow the COPPA Rule, they could face potential civil penalties and new requirements and limitations on their business practices.