Method for verifying and limiting personal information use from one location

Abstract

The present invention will centrally collect all required data to allow numerous Internet websites to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA). A method for the giving, editing, and revoking permission for a business Internet website to use information will also be an intricate part of the invention. Individual users of this invention will be required to provide the required proof of age and identity only once. Individual users will be able to then provide participating businesses a method for collecting verification, as well as limiting the personal information the Individual user allows, without the enormous cost that the current methods entail. The key feature of this invention is to centrally locate all the required information and verification needed to comply with COPPA. The problem with the current methods of collecting personal data is that companies have to collect and verify the data independently. The current invention solves this problem by having a centralized location for collecting and verifying individual's personal information. The major benefit to the individual user is the ability to only have to provide the required documents, to comply with COPPA, to one company. It will also allow the individual user more control over who, what, when and where their personal data is accessed and used. The business user will benefit from this invention as well. Business users will no longer be required to collect and verify the individuals pertinent information. The business user will also not be required to build a system to handle the complexity of automating the verification, permission and revocation systems.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.