Critical Uses of Minors’ Data That Support Youth Privacy and Safety

As policymakers consider new federal restrictions on the collection and use of minors' data, it is essential to understand the real-world consequences of overly broad prohibitions. This letter outlines societally important use cases-many relying on government or publicly available information-that help protect young people, expand opportunity, and support safety and financial inclusion.

From scholarship matching and credit-building to fraud prevention, anti-money-laundering efforts, and human trafficking investigations, these functions depend on responsible data use involving youth. The letter explains how H.R. 6292, in its current form, could unintentionally undermine these protections by mandating deletion and restricting lawful data practices, ultimately putting minors at greater risk rather than enhancing their privacy and safety.