February 27, 2026

Hi there,

This month delivered a clear global signal to digital platforms: Delay age assurance at your own risk.

The UK’s ICO issued a £14.47m fine to Reddit for children’s privacy failures tied to inadequate age checks. Days later, the FTC released a COPPA Enforcement Policy Statement promoting the adoption of age verification technologies — clarifying that responsible age assurance is not the regulatory problem. Failing to implement it may be.

The compliance environment is shifting from guidance to enforcement.

Inside this issue: what the latest AI developments mean for platforms serving minors, key global regulatory updates, and a milestone moment — PRIVO turns 25.

United States:

FTC Issues COPPA Policy Statement to Incentivize the Use of Age Verification Technologies to Protect Children Online (FTC) Read more > 

New York sues Valve over loot boxes, alleges gambling law violations unlawfully encouraging minors to gamble. (NBC News) Read more >

Chatbot bill surge: Nationwide concern spurs 78 proposals in 27 states (Transparency Coalition) Read more >

Model bill to protect kids online aims to withstand Big Tech challenges (State Affairs) Read more >

New Jersey lawmakers move bills to address online safety for children (WHYY) Read more >

EPIC Model Platform Design Legislation Introduced in Kentucky (EPIC) Read more >

California bill requiring age checks for social media has strong support from Governor Newsom (Biometric Update) Read more >

Colorado Legislators Want Device-Level Age Restrictions for Minors. Here’s What That Means (Gizmodo) Read more >

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Europe & UK:

Reddit issued with £14.47m fine for children’s privacy failures (ICO) Read more > 

UK Government takes aim at manipulative digital design practices (5 Rights Foundation) Read more >

Turkey reviews children’s data handling as identity checks planned for social platforms (DigWatch) Read more > 

Updates on UK Enforcement Programme to protect children from encountering pornographic content through the use of age assurance (Ofcom) Read more >

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Other News:

Two months since the social media ban began in Australia and teens say it isn't working (ABC News) Read more >

Should parental permission be required for minors (under 18) to use AI companion platforms? (Children and Screens) Read more >

30 years, 30 voices: What’s changed in the kids biz since 1996 (KidScreen) Read more >

Apple implementing age verification tool to ensure users are 18 and up for some apps (FOX) Read more >

The UN principles shaping child online safety regulation (Pinsent Masons) Read more >

Age checks in the app store: Can they keep children off social media? (Euronews) Read more >

Click to follow PRIVO for industry news updates!

AI Compliance for Children: What Companies Must Know Now

AI involving minors is entering a new era of accountability. From COPPA amendments and FTC scrutiny to the EU AI Act and state age assurance laws, companies building or integrating AI must now demonstrate age awareness, parental consent, documented risk mitigation, and governance controls.

If your AI can reach minors — even through a third-party vendor — regulators expect proof they are protected.

Read what your organization should be preparing now →

PRIVO Turns 25

What began as a compliance challenge under a newly enacted law called COPPA has grown into global leadership in age verification and consent infrastructure. As digital engagement evolved — from desktop websites to AI-powered platforms — so did the responsibility to protect minors.

Read our 25-year reflection and what comes next →