Revised Update: Enhanced Data Privacy Protection and New Parental Consent Platform for Minors
In our recent announcement CompTIA indicated the launch would occur early January 2026. Please note, to better accommodate the Academic calendar and our partners, we are pushing the launch to June 2026. In case you missed the previous announcement, please see additional information below.
Dear Academic Partner,
At CompTIA, we are committed to delivering exceptional learning and certification experiences while upholding the highest standards of data privacy and security—especially when it comes to protecting the personal information of minors.
We are excited to announce a significant new initiative focused on ensuring the privacy and security of data collected from minors engaging with our platforms and services. In keeping with U.S. regulatory requirements and a host of international regulations, we are launching an integrated and automated solution to collect Verifiable Parental Consent (VPC).
To deliver this enhanced solution, we have partnered with PRIVO, a recognized industry leader in child privacy protection and compliance. Together, we are integrating PRIVO’s trusted technology into our learning and certification platforms, allowing for a seamless, secure, and automated process for collecting parental consent.
What does this mean for you and your institution?
- Strong Data Privacy Assurance: Parents and guardians can now grant verifiable consent efficiently, ensuring learners’ data is always protected in accordance with legal requirements.
- Streamlined Experience: The new automated platform will simplify processes for students, families, and educators, reducing administrative burden while supporting compliance for minors under the age of consent. Parents will no longer need to travel to test centers to provide an ID and grant consent during the check-in process.
- Global Compliance: CompTIA is undergoing PRIVO’s rigorous COPPA Safe Harbor Certification process and expects to be certified in mid-2026. This demonstrates CompTIA’s commitment to ongoing compliance with U.S. and international child data privacy regulations.
Next Steps:
We expect this change to occur in June 2026, well before your students return to school in August/September timeframe. As a part of the launch, all CompTIA account holders will be asked to confirm their age, and verifiable parental consent will be obtained for minors.
Leading up to the start of the school year in August, we will provide detailed information and resources to help you understand how this change will enhance learners’ engagement with CompTIA. Our goal is to make this rollout as smooth as possible for your staff and students, and our team will be available to answer questions or address any concerns you may have.
We appreciate your ongoing partnership and shared commitment to learner privacy. Together, we continue to build a safer, secure digital learning environment for students of all ages.
Thank you for your support as we launch this important initiative. Stay tuned for further updates and guidance.
Warm regards,
CompTIA