Hello, U.S. Privacy Digest readers.

It’s a somber week as we remember the Sept. 11 attacks, events that changed our nation in an instant and a moment in time many of us will never forget. On Sept. 11, 2001, my peers and I were just weeks into our senior year of high school. Along with the rest of the country, we were shocked, devastated and forever changed by the events on that day. About to enter the “real world,” but still so undoubtedly naïve, the attacks hit us hard with realizations of mortality, fear and immeasurable tragedy. But even more so, we found a deep sense of patriotism and pride. Across the nation, the impact of that day changed the way we think about safety, privacy and data protection, a topic IAPP Editorial Director Jedidiah Bracy reflects upon. As we remember on this 20th anniversary, take the opportunity to honor those lost, express gratitude for our service members and the sacrifices they make, treasure loved ones, and appreciate our freedoms — and their costs.

Turning to events in our privacy space, I’m enjoying friends’ first day of school posts on social media, reminding me of activity in the children’s privacy space in recent weeks. In the U.K., the Age-Appropriate Design Code took effect Sept. 2, setting design guidelines for applications, games and other online services likely to be accessed by children. Companies including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube took steps to enhance children’s privacy ahead of enforcement, but the code could have an effect here in the U.S., where members of Congress called on tech and gaming companies to adopt the code’s 15 standards voluntarily.

A children’s privacy bill reintroduced this summer by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., incorporates elements of the Age-Appropriate Design Code and expands on the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Castor said the Protecting the Information of our Vulnerable Children and Youth Act expands privacy protections for children and teens, including prohibiting targeted advertising to minors ages 13 to 17.

Common Sense Media recently said that additional protections like children-specific policies and stronger parental controls are needed after finding a majority of popular streaming services and devices do not sufficiently protect consumers, especially children. While streaming apps and devices provide entertaining and educational content, the group said they collect “data about every user — to create profiles, understand behavior, and ultimately create a seamless viewing experience.”

The children’s privacy space is certainly busy and it's a worthy area of focus. We'll continue watching closely to keep you in the loop. To help, the IAPP launched a Children's Privacy topic page in the Resource Center where you can find all our coverage, analysis and resources.