HumenhukCIPP/US Study Guide
Chapter 2: U.S. Legal Framework

Consent Decrees

Reviewed by Victor Humenhuk. Published . Reviewed .

A consent decree is a judge-approved settlement where the defendant agrees to stop alleged illegal activity, typically without admitting guilt. Once approved it has the effect of a court decision; the FTC has used many in privacy cases such as COPPA violations.

How this supports CIPP/US study

Use this lesson to identify the legal source, actor, data and activity before applying a rule to a scenario. Continue with the CIPP/US exam format and blueprint.

A consent decree is a judgment entered by consent of the parties whereby the defendant agrees to stop alleged illegal activity, typically without admitting guilt or wrongdoing. It is approved by a judge, formalizes an agreement between an agency and an adverse party, may be subject to a public comment period, and once approved has the effect of a court decision.

FTC and COPPA

The FTC has entered numerous consent decrees over alleged privacy violations, such as under COPPA. These generally require violators to pay money to the government and agree not to violate the law in the future.

Key terms - quick answers

What is “Consent decree”?
A judgment entered by consent of the parties in which the defendant agrees to stop alleged illegal activity, usually without admitting guilt, and which has the effect of a court decision once approved.
What is “COPPA”?
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, under which the FTC has entered numerous consent decrees with companies.

This independent lesson uses active recall, spaced retrieval and scenario practice. Read the full study method.