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Site appears child-accessible but no children''s privacy disclosure

Privacy laws in the US (COPPA), the UK, and other countries have special rules about collecting data from children under 13 or 16. This check looks for a statement in your privacy policy explaining how you handle children's information.

Why this matters

If your site collects data from children, or is likely to be used by them, laws such as COPPA in the US, GDPR Article 8 in the EU and the UK Children's Code may apply, and penalties can be significant. Whether they apply depends on your audience and location, so check with a privacy adviser. If your service is not directed at children, a short statement saying so can still help set expectations.

How to fix it

Add a section to your privacy policy stating whether your service is intended for children, and if not, how you prevent collecting data from minors. If your service could be used by children, a web solicitor can advise on the specific disclosures required.

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