Privacy Abbreviated

Children’s privacy and teen data protections are rapidly evolving, creating major challenges for businesses operating online. In this episode of Privacy Abbreviated, host Dona Fraser sits down with Sheila Millar, Partner of Keller & Heckman, to unpack what companies must understand about COPPA compliance, age verification laws, state privacy requirements, and emerging AI-driven risks as we head into 2026.

As new state laws expand beyond COPPA and introduce conflicting standards, many businesses struggle to understand what applies to them, how to operationalize compliance, and what to do when their platforms may be accessed by children or teens—intentionally or not. Our experts break down the realities of today’s regulatory landscape, including the rise of data minimization, privacy by design, and growing expectations around vendor oversight and third-party data handling.

Together, Dona and Sheila explore:

This episode offers clear, actionable guidance to help businesses navigate regulatory uncertainty, reduce compliance risk, and build safer digital experiences for children and teens.

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The post COPPA, State Privacy, & Teens Online: How Companies Can Prepare for 2026 appeared first on BBB National Programs.

How should platforms navigate the growing patchwork of online safety and moderation laws across the U.S., UK, EU, and beyond? In this episode, Dona Fraser and Izzy Neis of ModSquad explore the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA), the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), and U.S. laws like Section 230 and COPPA.

We tackle key questions like: What is the Online Safety Act and how does it affect platforms? How do OSA and DSA differ? What do Section 230 and COPPA mean for content moderation and child online safety?

From free speech challenges to compliance reporting requirements, learn how platforms can strengthen moderation programs, prepare for global regulations, and build trust and safety by design.

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The post Part II: The Laws Governing Online Moderation and Safety appeared first on BBB National Programs.

Increasingly, regulators and platforms are moving from a “privacy-first” mindset (think data minimization, parental consent, etc.) to a broader “safety‑by‑design for all minors” mindset (think age assurance, risk assessments, content/algorithmic controls), with real tensions around areas like autonomy and use of AI.

In part one of this two-part episode of Priv, Dona Fraser is joined by Izzy Neis of ModSquad to discuss this shift from privacy to safety, explore behind the curtain of how “safety online” takes shape in the real world, and break down how to operationalize ‘safety by design,’ including where things typically go wrong.

Chapters

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This is not just a conversation for those operating in the child or teen space. This conversation is for companies operating online. Full stop. 

Join host Dona Fraser and her returning guest, Morgan Reed, President of the App Association, as they focus this episode of Privacy Abbreviated on the constantly evolving ecosystem of protecting children and teens online. From verifiable parental consent, to age appropriate design, to language like “all platforms must provide..,” Dona and Morgan break down the state and federal laws and proposals that are impacting companies across the board. 

Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction to Privacy Challenges for Children and Teens

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Whether your company has 5 employees or 500, if you operate online, you’re collecting user data—and that means you must have a privacy policy. But having a privacy policy isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a powerful statement of your company’s ethics and values. Done right, it reflects a genuine commitment to transparency, accountability, and user trust. Unfortunately, too many businesses treat it as just another box to check.

In this episode of Priv, host Dona Fraser is joined by Wills Catling, Director at Myna Partners, for a candid and comprehensive conversation on what it really takes to get a privacy policy right. Together, they unpack the critical elements of a strong policy—from risk management and accountability to opt-in vs. opt-out frameworks, cookie strategies, and how to navigate the patchwork of state, federal, and international regulations. 

Key Takeaways

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The post Please Don’t Copy and Paste: Getting Privacy Policies Right appeared first on BBB National Programs.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the establishment of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) and Global Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) Systems. In anticipation of its official launch this year, get caught up with a deep dive on the world of CBPRs with Priv host Dona Fraser and her guest Victoria Akosile, Deputy Director of BBB National Programs Privacy Initiatives.

This episode, which originally aired in May 2024, breaks down the “what you need to know” knowledge about the global CBPR system, quickly reviews the “how we got here” facts, and provides you with the “what do I do now” information you need, whether you are a data controller or data processor.

Key Takeaways:

The post [REPLAY] Launching 2025: Global CBPR Forum appeared first on BBB National Programs.

Join us for this episode of Privacy Abbreviated, where Dona Fraser is joined by Rukiya Bonner, Director, Children’s Advertising Review Unit, BBB National Programs to discuss a year in children’s privacy in review. Dona and Rukiya break down the FTC’s COPPA Rule revisions, what new legislation has been proposed, what those proposals mean for businesses (including consideration of teen users), and predictions on what could be coming next.

Dona and Rukiya’s conversation highlights the challenges of balancing privacy and safety, navigating targeted advertising, and the importance of proactive measures for companies operating in this space. Key takeaways emphasize the need for vigilance, transparency, and the adoption of best practices in privacy compliance.

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction to Children’s Online Privacy

[03:30] Current Legislative Landscape for Children’s Privacy

Key Takeaways

The post COPPA 3.0? Privacy Updates for Kids, Tweens and Teens appeared first on BBB National Programs.

For the season finale of Privacy Abbreviated, host Dona Fraser is joined by her friend Morgan Reed, President of The App Association to discuss a year in review of privacy. Dona and Morgan discuss it all, from major developments in regulatory and enforcement actions, the need for comprehensive U.S. privacy and understanding of global privacy laws, to children’s privacy and the 50-foot elephant in the room, AI. 

On each topic, Dona and Morgan focus on what the current state means for business, provide some practical advice, and outline where they see the privacy world evolving on the road ahead. 

Donna and Morgan discuss the evolving landscape of privacy regulations, focusing on the challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses. They explore the implications of federal and state privacy laws, the impact of AI on data privacy, and the need for comprehensive reform to protect consumer expectations while supporting business growth. 

Key Takeaways:

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Privacy Trends

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On this episode of Priv, Miles Light, BBB National Programs’ Senior Counsel for Youth, Privacy, & Technology steps into the role of host for this conversation, joined by Brenda Leong, a partner at Luminos.Law to discuss the responsibilities and requirements of artificial intelligence (AI), in privacy and beyond. 

AI technology does not only affect the privacy vertical – it is a cross functional challenge. Miles and Brenda discuss AI governance and policies, laws and regulations, and operational considerations within a company, including the role of humans in a world of algorithms and machine learning. 

They discuss the importance of understanding the unique requirements and responsibilities of AI, the need for cross-functional communication and collaboration, and the key themes of accountability, fairness, and transparency in AI regulation. They also explore the role of governance policies and contracts in managing AI risks and the potential for renegotiating contracts to address the expectations and liabilities associated with AI.

Key takeaways:

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Join us for this episode of Priv, where our host Dona Fraser, Senior Vice President of Privacy Initiatives at BBB National Programs, is joined by Phyllis Marcus of Hunton Andrews Kurth to discuss the broad operational, financial, and logistical impacts and challenges of trying to protect both children and teens online under the same laws and regulations. 

Marcus and Fraser explain the current regulatory landscape and unpack the evolution of children’s privacy laws, including COPPA. They discuss the increasing number of legislative proposals at both the state and federal level and explore challenges businesses face today related to verifiable parental consent, examine proposed technological solutions like biometrics, and discuss the responsibility of third-party operators. 

The conversation includes a look at age-appropriate design codes and the shifting responsibility from parents to the entire ecosystem, as well as, third-party liability and the role platforms play in protecting children’s privacy. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the potential future of children’s privacy laws.

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Key Takeaways:

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