Research from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) shows that smaller businesses and sole traders depend on advice about data protection laws from accountants like you.
As designers and developers now have a requirement to consider the age of their users and design with children in mind, it’s something your clients involved in online services need to be aware of.
The Children’s code, developed by the ICO, sets out how children’s data should be used lawfully, making sure children’s best interests are central when designing online products and services. When services are designed to be privacy friendly from the start, regulatory issues can be avoided later on during development.
It’s not just Facebook, Google, Instagram, TikTok and other large businesses who have to conform to the code. It’s smaller businesses too.
Many small businesses are making significant changes to their child privacy and safety measures as a result of the code, breaking new ground in the way they innovate and design services. They’ve learned what to do from the ICO’s online guides.
Your clients need to know the age of their users; if their online service is likely to be accessed by children, they need to use the Children’s code.
Advise your clients to visit ico.org.uk/childrenscode or call our helpline on 0303 123 1113.
About ICO
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK’s independent regulator for data protection and information rights law, upholding information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
