Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act - FTC-Approved COPPA Safe Harbor Program




Republication
FTC, May 19, 2020


A digital game maker has settled Federal Trade Commission allegations that it misled consumers about its membership in a program aimed at ensuring companies adhere to requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

In a complaint, the FTC alleges that Miniclip, S.A., a Swiss-based company that makes mobile and online digital games, falsely claimed it was a current member of the Children’s Advertising Review Unit’s (CARU) COPPA safe harbor program. Under the FTC’s COPPA Rule, companies are deemed in compliance with COPPA if they are a member and adhere to the guidelines of an FTC-approved COPPA safe harbor program, such as the Better Business Bureau’s CARU program.

The COPPA Rule requires companies that collect personal information about children under 13 to provide parents with notice of their collection practices and obtain verifiable parental consent.

“Consumers rely on companies to tell them the truth, especially when it comes to how they treat personal information about children,” said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “When companies like Miniclip promise consumers that they are an approved participant of a safe harbor program even after they’re removed, the FTC will take action.”

Miniclip joined CARU’s safe harbor program in 2009 and remained a member until 2015, when CARU terminated Miniclip’s participation in the program. From 2015 through mid-2019, Miniclip falsely claimed on its website and on its Facebook games privacy policy page that it was a member of CARU’s safe harbor program, according to the FTC complaint.

As part of the proposed settlement Miniclip is prohibited from misrepresenting its participation or certification in any privacy or security program sponsored by a government or any self-regulatory organization, including the CARU COPPA safe harbor program. Miniclip is also subject to compliance and recordkeeping requirements.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue the proposed administrative complaint and to accept the consent agreement with Miniclip. Commissioner Rohit Chopra issued a concurring statement. The FTC will publish a description of the consent agreement package in the Federal Register soon. The agreement will be subject to public comment for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register after which the Commission will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final. Instructions for filing comments will appear in the published notice. Once processed, comments will be posted on Regulations.gov.

NOTE: The Commission issues an administrative complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions. Each violation of such an order may result in a civil penalty of up to $43,280.

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Monday, May 11, 2020

Customs - Import - Automated Commercial System (ACS) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) CATAIR


Automated Commercial System (ACS) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) CATAIR
Republication
U.S. Customs and Border Protection


ACS is used by CBP to track, control, and process all goods imported into the United States. A key component of ACS is the ABI, which allows qualified participants to electronically file required import data with Customs.
ABI is a voluntary program available to brokers, importers, carriers, port authorities, and independent service centers. Currently, more than 96 percent of all entries filed with CBP are filed through ABI.
CBP is currently working to transition cargo processing to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).  ACE is being developed as the primary, modernized system through which the U.S. Government will track, control and process all imported and exported goods.
As CBP processing is transitioned to ACE, the technical requirements for transmitting data to ACE via ABI will be posted on CBP.gov under the ACE webpage.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Updates from EXIM, May 6, 2020


Updates from EXIM, May 6, 2020
Republication


EXIM Increases U.S. Exporter Access to Capital and Supply Chain Financing During COVID-19
 

As part of its ongoing effort to support U.S. exporters affected by the pandemic, EXIM raised its Supply Chain Finance Program (SCF) and Working Capital Guarantee Program (WCGP) guarantee coverage option to 95 percent, up from the standard 90 percent. This increase is effective through April 30, 2021. The WCGP was implemented in the 1980s and is currently active with 49 DA lenders. EXIM has participated in many discussions with these lenders over the past two months in order to better understand the needs of exporters, which led to making the program more flexible for borrowers.

Round-Up of EXIM Relief Measures, Extended Through May 31st:
 

EXIM remains committed to helping exporters. Here are fact sheets on our various relief measures: