The acronym COPPA stands for the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Enacted in 1998, COPPA is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of children under the age of 13 by regulating the collection of personal information from minors by websites and online services. Under COPPA, operators are required to obtain parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing children's personal data. This legislation promotes safe online environments for young users and ensures that their privacy and rights are respected.