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ICO Age Appropriate Design Code comes into force
The AADC is a statutory code of practice for online services which are likely to be accessed by a child, required under S.123 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
Today, following the completion of its parliamentary stages, the ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC) has come into force. The AADC is a statutory code of practice for online services which are likely to be accessed by a child, required under S.123 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
What does the Code mean to me?
The AADC does not just apply to social media or services that target children, but any information society service that is likely to be accessed by a child. The Code aims to provide a “high privacy by default” to automatically provide children with a built-in baseline of data protection whenever they download a new app, game or visit a website.
The Code contains 15 different standards on data collection and protection, from parental controls to profiling. Companies are expected to apply these standards accordingly depending on the age of the user and perceived risks of the service. If you are not certain about the age of your users then you must apply the standards in this code to all users.
When do I need to make changes by?
Although the Code is now in effect, there is a 12 month implementation period for industry to get up to speed and make any necessary changes. Companies will need to conform to the Code by 2 September 2021.
During this time the ICO will be providing a package of support for businesses of all sizes to better understand the Code and its obligations. After a year in force the ICO will undertake a review of the Code and its effectiveness.
techUK is working closely with the ICO as it develops this package of support to ensure that industry’s views are well understood, that outstanding questions and concerns are addressed, and that the guidance that is being produced delivers on the needs of industry.
Part of this engagement will be through workshops and roundtables with the ICO and members. Our first workshop with the ICO to discuss the Code and its guidance will be hosted on Friday 11 September, 10:00-11:30. To register, please click here.
Where can I learn more?
To mark the Code coming into force, the ICO has published a simple guide on the Code’s requirements here.
A full version of the AADC can be found on their website, alongside the ICO’s impact assessment.
To discuss further, please contact ben.bradley@techuk.org.
Original article link: https://www.techuk.org/insights/news/item/18378-ico-age-appropriate-design-code-comes-into-force
