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Washington Today
By the People, for the People
Senate Unanimously Passes COPPA 2.0 to Protect Minors' Online Privacy
The updated Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act aims to restrict data collection on users under 17.
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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The US Senate has unanimously passed the proposed COPPA 2.0 legislation, which aims to modernize the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 and create new protections for younger users online. The bill would block platforms from collecting personal data from anyone under 17 without consent. While previous attempts to pass COPPA 2.0 have stalled in the House, the latest Senate vote marks a significant step forward in the push for stronger online privacy safeguards for minors.
Why it matters
COPPA 2.0 is part of a broader effort, both domestically and internationally, to restrict how younger people engage online and protect their personal data. Several states have already enacted laws requiring age verification for accessing certain online content or using social media apps. The passage of COPPA 2.0 in the Senate suggests growing bipartisan support for measures that prioritize minors' privacy over the data collection practices of tech companies.
The details
COPPA 2.0 is a modernized version of the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, aiming to address recent changes in common online activities, like targeted advertising, that could prove harmful to minors. The bill would block platforms from collecting personal information from anyone under the age of 17 without consent. While previous COPPA 2.0 bills have made varying amounts of progress in the Senate, none have yet passed the House of Representatives. Industry groups like NetChoice, which includes companies such as Google, YouTube, Meta, Reddit, Discord, TikTok and X, have previously opposed COPPA 2.0 and similar measures.
- The US Senate unanimously passed the COPPA 2.0 bill on March 5, 2026.
The players
Chuck Schumer
Senate Democratic Leader.
NetChoice
An industry group that includes major tech companies and has previously opposed COPPA 2.0 and similar measures.
What they’re saying
“This bill expands the current law protecting our kids online to ensure companies cannot collect personal information from anyone under the age of 17. This is a big step forward for protecting our kids. We hope the House can join us. They haven't thus far.”
— Chuck Schumer, Senate Democratic Leader
What’s next
The COPPA 2.0 bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where previous attempts have stalled. If passed by the House, the bill would then go to the President for signature into law.
The takeaway
The unanimous Senate passage of COPPA 2.0 signals growing bipartisan support for measures that prioritize protecting minors' online privacy and personal data, even as tech industry groups have opposed similar efforts in the past. The bill's fate in the House will be closely watched as part of the ongoing debate over how to best safeguard younger users in the digital age.
