Speech technology

Is my child’s voice data private?

Published 21 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026

The short answer

In the US, a recording of a child’s voice counts as personal information under the children’s privacy law, COPPA. Apps and devices covered by COPPA generally need a parent’s verifiable consent to collect it, a written retention policy, and separate consent to share it with third parties. There’s a narrow exception for audio used only to respond to a child’s request and then deleted immediately. The law sets minimums, so it’s still worth asking any app or device exactly what it records and keeps.

What the law says

The FTC’s updated COPPA Rule took effect on June 23, 2025, and companies had until April 22, 2026 to comply (FTC, 2025).
An audio file containing a child’s voice is personal information, and the update added biometric identifiers, including voiceprints (FTC, 2025).
Children’s data may be kept only as long as reasonably necessary, not indefinitely, and companies need a written retention policy (FTC, 2025).
Sharing a child’s data with third parties needs separate parental consent, unless it’s integral to the service (FTC, 2025).
The exception for audio is narrow: no prior consent is needed only if the audio is used solely to respond to the child’s specific request, isn’t used for anything else, and is deleted immediately afterwards (FTC, 2025; FTC COPPA FAQ).

What COPPA doesn’t do

It covers online services and children under 13. It isn’t a general guarantee that a child’s voice data stays private.
The FTC considered but didn’t adopt broader wording about data derived from voice recordings, so information like scores worked out from audio isn’t explicitly listed (FTC, 2025).

This is general information, not legal advice.

A real example

In 2023, the FTC and the Department of Justice alleged that Amazon kept children’s Alexa voice recordings indefinitely, didn’t fully delete them when parents asked, and used them to improve its speech recognition. Amazon agreed to a $25 million civil penalty in the settlement (FTC, 2023).

Questions to ask any app or device that listens

Based on the FTC’s consumer guidance for connected toys and children’s privacy:

Does it have a microphone, and will you know when it’s listening?
What does it record, and does it keep recordings or only the results?
Where is data stored, who can access it, and for how long?
Can you see your child’s data and delete it?
Is it shared with other companies, or used to train AI?
Does it ask for your consent before collecting anything?

Under COPPA, parents can review the information collected about their child, refuse further collection or sharing, and ask for it to be deleted. You can report a concern to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC consumer advice).

Common questions

Do apps need my permission to record my child?

If COPPA applies, collecting a child’s voice generally needs verifiable parental consent first, with a narrow exception for audio used only to respond to a child’s request and deleted immediately.

Can I ask a company to delete my child’s recordings?

Yes. Under COPPA, parents can review the information collected about their child and ask for it to be deleted.

Does COPPA protect children over 13?

No. COPPA covers children under 13. Other laws may apply to older children; this guide covers COPPA only.