Ford states that its websites and services are not intended for children under 13 and that it will delete any data it discovers was collected from a child under 13.
This analysis describes what Ford'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
This establishes a baseline compliance posture under COPPA; however, Ford's connected vehicle data collection may indirectly capture information related to minors who are passengers or secondary drivers.
Interpretive note: The policy addresses direct website collection from children under 13 but does not explicitly address indirect data collection from minors through connected vehicle features or family account structures, creating interpretive uncertainty about full COPPA scope.
The updated privacy policy effective January 16, 2026 modifies how Ford will notify you if it makes material changes to this policy. Previously, the language stated Ford would provide notice to enable you to exercise rights regarding your personal information. The revised language now states notice will be provided 'as may be required by law,' meaning Ford's obligation to notify you depends on applicable legal requirements rather than a contractual commitment to advance notice. Additionally, the policy clarifies connected vehicle data sharing icons and descriptions to better explain when Vehicle Data, Vehicle Location, and Driving Data are being transmitted from your vehicle.
View change record →The updated privacy policy establishes a more structured disclosure framework with explicit California privacy rights information and cookie consent management. The revised terms now route California residents to supplemental privacy notices that explain collection practices and provide mechanisms to exercise privacy rights. The removal of specific language describing customer review collection processes and dealership moderation standards means these details are now consolidated into the main privacy notice rather than appearing in review-specific sections. You can access California-specific privacy rights and consent options through the links provided in the updated privacy notice.
View change record →Parents should be aware that while Ford's policy prohibits intentional data collection from children under 13, connected vehicle systems may capture data in contexts where minors are present as passengers or secondary account holders.
How other platforms handle this
The Service is intended for general audiences and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child under the age of 13 has provided us with personal information without your cons...
Our Services are not directed to children under 13. If you learn that anyone younger than 13 has unlawfully provided us with personal data, please contact us at privacy@medium.com.
To access and use the Services, you must be at least the age of majority in the state, province, or territory where you live or at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 13, you may not use the Services and you should not be visiting the Sites or using the Services.
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"Our websites and services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information.— Excerpt from Ford's Ford Privacy Policy
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13. The FTC is the primary enforcement authority for COPPA. Ford's statement that it does not knowingly collect data from children under 13 establishes a general COPPA compliance posture, but the policy does not address scenarios where minors are secondary users of connected vehicle features or Ford apps. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Low for the core website context, but potentially medium for connected vehicle features. If Ford's vehicle apps or family account features allow secondary user profiles that could include minors, the data collection implications require review. The FTC has pursued enforcement actions against companies that collected data from minors indirectly through family or household account structures. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California's Age-Appropriate Design Code Act may impose additional obligations regarding services that are likely to be accessed by minors, including design requirements and data protection impact assessments. The AADC applies more broadly than COPPA and covers users under 18. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Third-party advertising vendors and data analytics partners should be contractually prohibited from targeting or collecting data attributed to users under 13 across Ford's digital properties. Vendor agreements should include representations about COPPA compliance. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should assess whether any Ford digital product, including FordPass family features or secondary driver profiles, creates a pathway for collection of personal information from users under 13 that would require COPPA-compliant parental consent mechanisms. California AADC applicability should be evaluated for any Ford digital service accessible to users under 18.
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This establishes a baseline compliance posture under COPPA; however, Ford's connected vehicle data collection may indirectly capture information related to minors who are passengers or secondary drivers.
Parents should be aware that while Ford's policy prohibits intentional data collection from children under 13, connected vehicle systems may capture data in contexts where minors are present as passengers or secondary account holders.
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