Social Media Platforms Required to Obtain Parental Consent for Children’s Data Processing
Recent draft regulations propose significant changes to how social media platforms and online services handle children’s personal data. Under these provisions, companies will be mandated to secure verifiable parental consent before they can collect or process any personal information pertaining to minors. This framework aims to ensure that parents have a direct role in the decision-making process regarding their children’s digital footprints.
To implement these requirements effectively, organizations identified as data fiduciaries—those responsible for collecting and storing personal data—will need to establish mechanisms to confirm the identity of individuals purporting to be a child’s guardian. Potential verification methods could include the examination of government-issued identification or the use of digital tokens associated with reliable identity verification services.
For example, if a child seeks to establish an online account, the data fiduciary is responsible for providing the parent with secure options to affirm their identity before the child’s data can be processed. This ensures that only verified guardians can give consent, thereby enhancing the protection of children’s privacy.
The draft regulations illustrate these changes with a scenario involving a child identified as ‘C’, her parent ‘P’, and a data fiduciary ‘DF’. In this particular case, ‘C’ expresses her desire to create an account on DF’s platform, necessitating the handling of her personal data. The protocol dictates that once ‘C’ notifies DF of her status as a child, the company must facilitate the identification of her parent through secure online channels. Once ‘P’ verifies her identity and confirms her relationship to ‘C’, DF is tasked with validating the accuracy of the identity and age information it compiles concerning ‘P’ before proceeding to create ‘C’s account.
From a cybersecurity perspective, these regulations highlight an emerging challenge for businesses regarding compliance with new standards aimed at protecting minors’ data. The MITRE ATT&CK framework could elucidate the types of tactics and techniques employed by potential adversaries in this evolving landscape. For instance, initial access may be a primary concern, where attackers exploit weaknesses in the verification process to gain unauthorized access. Furthermore, persistence strategies might involve persistent threats where attackers remain undetected to monitor or manipulate collected data over time.
As online environments continue to evolve, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in upgrading their security measures. By refining their identity verification processes and employing robust cybersecurity protocols, businesses can not only comply with these forthcoming regulations but also bolster their defenses against potential data breaches.
In summary, the proposed framework places an increased onus on online platforms to protect the personal data of minors through rigorous verification practices, thus safeguarding both children and their families in the digital space. This calls for a recommitment to cybersecurity best practices by all stakeholders in the industry.
