Coursera does not allow children under 13 (or 16 in some countries) to use its platform, and states it will delete data if it discovers it has been collected from a child below the applicable age threshold.
This analysis describes what Coursera's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The age threshold of 16 in certain jurisdictions (consistent with GDPR requirements) is a legally significant distinction that parents and guardians of teenagers should be aware of when considering platform access.
Interpretive note: The specific jurisdictions in which the 16-year threshold applies are not enumerated in the document, and the operational age verification mechanism is not described.
The updated terms now explicitly disclose that Coursera processes communications through voice-enabled features that transcribe audio into text, and clarify that personal data may be shared with third parties including affiliates and business partners. The policy expands descriptions of AI-driven personalization and chatbot applications that use your learning and interaction data. The terms establish that data may be transferred to entities that become Coursera affiliates or subsidiaries during business transitions. You should review the updated guidance that cautions against including unnecessary or sensitive personal data in the platform's free-text and voice-enabled communication features.
View change record →The updated Privacy Notice removes explicit language stating that the policy does not apply to Coursera's Ollie mobile application and no longer directs users to a separate Ollie Privacy Notice for that app. Previously, users of Ollie had clear notice to consult a dedicated privacy policy; that direction is now absent from the main Privacy Notice. The updated notice also narrows the scope of covered entities by removing 'affiliates' from the definition of Coursera, stating the policy now applies to Coursera, Inc., its subsidiaries, and international branches only. Users of the Ollie App should independently verify what privacy terms currently govern that application, as the main Coursera Privacy Notice no longer explicitly addresses Ollie coverage.
View change record →Minors at or near the age thresholds may have accounts or data collected without full legal authorization, and the policy relies on reactive deletion rather than proactive age verification mechanisms.
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"We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). If we learn we have collected personal data from a child under those ages, we will take steps to delete such information.Excerpt from Coursera's Privacy Notice
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages COPPA (U.S., applying to children under 13), GDPR Article 8 (which permits member states to set consent ages between 13 and 16, with many EU states setting 16), and the …
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The age threshold of 16 in certain jurisdictions (consistent with GDPR requirements) is a legally significant distinction that parents and guardians of teenagers should be aware of when considering platform access.
Minors at or near the age thresholds may have accounts or data collected without full legal authorization, and the policy relies on reactive deletion rather than proactive age verification mechanisms.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
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