The ICO has published initial findings from industry research to gauge understanding of the Children’s Code and how prepared businesses are to be fully compliant by the time it comes into force on 2 September 2021. The ICO says that the survey research, in which 500 services and businesses took part, shows that three quarters of businesses are aware of the Children’s Code and that businesses are still in the preparation stages. The full findings will be published in May.

With just six months to go until the Code comes into force, the ICO is urging organisations and businesses to make the necessary changes to their online services and products.

The Children’s Code sets out 15 standards that organisations must meet to ensure that children’s data is protected online. The Code will apply to all the major online services used by children in the UK and includes measures such as providing default settings which ensure that children have the best possible access to online services whilst minimising data collection and use. To read the ICO’s statement in full, click here.