The Age Appropriate Design Code: A new deal between children and the tech sector
The Age Appropriate Design Code: “A new deal between children and the tech sector”
The Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham CBE has now launched a draft of the Age Appropriate Design Code for consultation. Details of how to respond to the consultation, which is open until 31st May, can be found here.
The Code is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and sets out the specific protections that children require for their data. It will redress the balance between the needs and safety of children and the commercial interests of online services.
Baroness Kidron, Chair of the 5Rights Foundation and responsible for introducing the Code as part of the Data Protection Act 2018, said:
“I welcome the draft Code released today by the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Denham CBE, which represents the beginning of a new deal between children and the tech sector. For too long we have failed to recognise children’s rights and needs online, with tragic outcomes. I firmly believe in the power of technology to transform lives, be a force for good and rise to the challenge of promoting the rights and safety of our children. But in order to fulfil that role it must consider the best interests of children, not simply its own commercial interests. That is what the Code will require online services to do. This is a systemic change.”
The Code contains 16 interconnecting provisions that set out the requirements online services must meet to make their services suitable for children.
A full briefing, providing further details about the Code and the potential impact of its provisions, can be found here.
What happens next?
- The ICO launched the draft Code on Monday 15th April
- The consultation on the draft Code will run for six weeks until Friday 31st May.
- After considering the responses and making its amendments to the draft, the ICO will lay the Code before Parliament. After 40 sitting days it will become law.
5Rights is encouraging everyone that supports the Code’s mission to respond positively and constructively to the ICO’s consultation. If you would like to discuss the draft Code or your response to the consultation, please get in touch on 020 7502 3818 or email Jay Harman at jay@5rightsfoundation.com.
