---
title: "What privacy notices must operators post under COPPA? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/data-privacy/coppa-privacy-notice-requirements
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-27
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What privacy notices must operators post under COPPA? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.

Under 16 C.F.R. § 312.4(b), operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 must provide a privacy notice on the website or online service describing what personal information they collect from children, how they use it, and their disclosure practices. Under § 312.3, this notice obligation applies to any operator with actual knowledge it collects personal information from a child under 13, and the notice must also be given directly to parents.

## Details / How it works

Section 312.4(b) — Privacy Notice requirements mandate that operators provide notice on their websites or online services about what personal information they collect from children under 13, how they use such information, and their disclosure practices for such information. Section 312.3 extends COPPA coverage to any operator of a website or online service directed to children under 13, or any operator that has actual knowledge it is collecting personal information from a child under 13.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Provision | Requirement |
|---|---|
| § 312.4(b) | Privacy notice on website/online service describing collection, use, and disclosure practices for children's personal information |
| § 312.3 | Coverage extends to operators of websites, online services, mobile applications, internet-connected device services, and other digital platforms |
| § 312.3 | Applies to operators directed to children under 13, or those with actual knowledge of collecting from a child under 13 |
| § 312.3 | Direct notice to parents is also required alongside on-site privacy notice |

## Exceptions & edge cases

The COPPA Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 312) effective July 1, 2013, as amended, governs the general framework, with § 312.3 establishing the enforcement provision that prohibits unlawful collection of personal information from children and § 312.4(b) supplying the underlying notice obligation.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Federal Trade Commission — 16 CFR 312.4 — COPPA — notice requirements for operators collecting children's information · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/section-312.4 · as of 2026-08-27
- [2] U.S. Government Publishing Office / Federal Trade Commission — 16 CFR 312.3 — COPPA — regulation of unfair or deceptive acts in collecting children's personal information online · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/section-312.3 · as of 2026-08-27