In order to protect children, operators must take reasonable steps to verify the parent’s identity before divulging personal information:

• A signed form from the parent via postal mail or fax
• Acceptance and verification of a credit card number
• Acceptance of calls from parents through a toll-free number
• E-mail accompanied by a so-called digital signature or a PIN number or password

The law provides protection from liability under federal and state law for inadvertent disclosures of a child’s information to someone who purports to be a parent.