Legal Resources
Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations for Businesses and Policymakers
March 26, 2012FTC report calling for privacy by design, simplified choices for businesses and consumers, and greater transparency about information collection and use
Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures Are Disappointing
February 21, 2012FTC staff report featuring the results of a survey of mobile apps for children and concluding that app stores and app developers don’t provide parents with the information they need to determine what data is being collected from their children, how it’s being shared, or who will have access to it.
Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: A Proposed Framework for Businesses and Policymakers
December 1, 2010A preliminary staff report proposing a framework to balance the privacy interests of consumers with innovation that relies on consumer information to develop beneficial new products and services, including the implementation of a “Do Not Track” mechanism.
Protecting Youths in an Online World
July 15, 2010Protecting Youths in an Online World: Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission, Presented by Jessica Rich, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance.
Protecting Kids' Privacy Online: Reviewing the COPPA Rule
June 2, 2010Workshop about the costs and benefits of the FTC’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule in light of rapidly evolving technology and changes in the way children use and access the Internet.
An Examination of Children’s Privacy: New Technology and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
April 30, 2010Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission Entitled "An Examination of Children's Privacy: New Technology and The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act," Presented by Jessica Rich, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance of the Committee On Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate.
NetCetera: OnGuardOnline.gov's Internet Safety Campaign for Children: A Report to Congress
March 31, 2010Report to Congress about efforts to get the word out about Internet safety for children by aggressively promoting a new booklet, Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online, to schools, police and sheriff’s departments, and PTAs nationwide.
Exploring Privacy: A Roundtable Series
March 17, 2010A series of roundtables exploring the privacy challenges posed by technologies and business practices that collect and use consumer data. Discussion included how best to protect consumer privacy while supporting beneficial uses of the information and technological innovation.
Virtual Worlds and Kids: Mapping the Risks
December 10, 2009Report examines the incidence of sexually and violently explicit content in online virtual worlds. Urges operators of virtual worlds to take a number of steps to keep explicit content away from children and teens, and recommends that parents familiarize themselves with the virtual worlds their kids visit.
Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace Report
April 1, 2009Report from May 2008 town hall meeting about issues arising in the mobile commerce marketplace.
Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace
May 6, 2008Town Hall exploring the evolving mobile commerce (Mcommerce) marketplace and its implications for consumer protection policy. This meeting built on a 2006 hearing which examined technological and business developments expected to shape consumers' experiences over the next ten years.
Protecting Consumers In The Next Tech-ade Report
March 28, 2008Staff report highlighting the challenges of consumer protection in the face of emerging and evolving technologies in the next ten years.
Implementing the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act Report
February 27, 2007Report to Congress on the first five years of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-ade
November 6, 2006Hearings exploring how convergence and globalization of commerce impact consumer protection, examining changes that have occurred in marketing and technology over the past decade, and discussing challenges and opportunities for consumers, businesses, and governmental bodies.
Social Networking Sites: FTC Testimony
June 28, 2006Prepared Statement by Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives, Washington D.C.
Protecting Children’s Privacy Under COPPA: A Survey On Compliance
April 22, 2002COPPA compliance survey reviewing information collection practices at 144 children's Web sites.
Protection of Children's Privacy on the World Wide Web: FTC Testimony
September 23, 1998Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission, presented by Chairman Robert Pitofsky before the Subcommittee on Communications of the Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, United States Senate.
Online Privacy: A Report to Congress
June 14, 1998A comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of self-regulation as a means of protecting consumer privacy online.