The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) recently expanded its ESRB Privacy Certified program, adding new services to ensure consumers understand how interactive entertainment companies handle their personal information and to help those companies comply with online privacy laws and best practices.

In particular, the expanded privacy seal certification program now applies to mobile app privacy practices and helps companies to comply with the recently revised Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule, which governs how websites and online services collect, use, or disclose children’s personal information. Companies that meet ESRB Privacy Certified’s requirements may display a seal on their digital properties that signals to their customers the highest level of privacy protection as well as compliance with regulations set forth by authorities in North America, Europe and other territories. The program’s "Safe Harbor" status also helps protect against potential fines and sanctions that may result from inadequate privacy protections.

"Achieving compliance with requirements like COPPA can be complicated, particularly for rapidly evolving platforms like mobile," said Dona Fraser, vice president of ESRB Privacy Certified. "By extending our services beyond website operators to include mobile app developers as well, we are helping ensure that their products provide a trustworthy environment for user interaction and information sharing."

The ESRB Privacy Certified program builds upon ESRB’s previous Privacy Online program with services such as individual privacy risk assessment for all online and mobile properties; solutions for obtaining verifiable parental consent for users under age 13 (a COPPA Rule requirement); and guidance on providing concise ‘short form’ privacy disclosures to mobile users. Along with these new services, the program continues to offer consultation on privacy policy development and ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting.