Swiss Digital Game Developer Miniclip Lied About Being A Member Of CARU COPPA Safe Harbor Program

This week, the Federal Trade Commission announced it had finalized a settlement with digital game maker Miniclip over allegations it misled consumers about its membership in a program ensuring companies obeyed COPPA, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, guidelines.

The FTC alleged that the Swiss-based company falsely claimed from 2015 through mid-2019 that it was a member of the Children’s Advertising Review Unit’s COPPA safe harbor program. In reality, the company’s membership was terminated in 2015.

According to the FTC’s COPPA Rule, companies are in compliance with COPPA if they are a member and adhere to the guidelines of the COPPA safe harbor program. The Commission voted to finalize the settlement with 5 yes and 0 nos.

As a part of the settlement, Miniclip will be prohibited from misrepresenting its participation in any privacy or security program sponsored by a government or self-regulatory organization and that includes the CARU COPPA safe harbor program.

The company will also be subject to compliance and record-keeping requirements.