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UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)

Self-Assess
United Kingdom
v2020 (effective 2021)
10 domains
20 controls

The UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code), issued by the ICO under the Data Protection Act 2018, establishes 15 standards that online services likely to be accessed by children must comply with. Effective September 2, 2021, it sets expectations for how children's data should be handled by default. Applies to information society services likely to be accessed by children under 18 in the UK.

Verified

UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) is a compliance framework from United Kingdom with 10 domains and 20 controls that map to 109 other frameworks. The largest domains are Children's Code Standards 10 to 13: Geolocation, Parental Controls, Profiling and Nudge (4 controls), Children's Code Standards 1 to 3: Best Interests, DPIA and Age Assurance (3 controls), Children's Code Standards 4 to 6: Transparency and Policies (3 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard BlokdykVerified against the published standard Control text last updated

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (10)

Age-Appropriate

1 controls
Controls in the Age-Appropriate domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UKAADC-2Age-Appropriate Application and Transparency

Best Interests

1 controls
Controls in the Best Interests domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UKAADC-1Best Interests of the Child and DPIA

Children's Code Standards 1 to 3: Best Interests, DPIA and Age Assurance

3 controls
Controls in the Children's Code Standards 1 to 3: Best Interests, DPIA and Age Assurance domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
Standard 1Best Interests of the Child
Standard 2Data Protection Impact Assessments
Standard 3Age Appropriate Application

Children's Code Standards 10 to 13: Geolocation, Parental Controls, Profiling and Nudge

4 controls
Controls in the Children's Code Standards 10 to 13: Geolocation, Parental Controls, Profiling and Nudge domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 4 controls
CodeTitle
Standard 10Geolocation
Standard 11Parental Controls
Standard 12Profiling
Standard 13Nudge Techniques

Children's Code Standards 14 to 15: Connected Toys and Online Tools

2 controls
Controls in the Children's Code Standards 14 to 15: Connected Toys and Online Tools domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 2 controls
CodeTitle
Standard 14Connected Toys and Devices
Standard 15Online Tools

Children's Code Standards 4 to 6: Transparency and Policies

3 controls
Controls in the Children's Code Standards 4 to 6: Transparency and Policies domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
Standard 4Transparency
Standard 5Detrimental Use of Data
Standard 6Policies and Community Standards

Children's Code Standards 7 to 9: Defaults, Minimisation and Sharing

3 controls
Controls in the Children's Code Standards 7 to 9: Defaults, Minimisation and Sharing domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 3 controls
CodeTitle
Standard 7Default Settings
Standard 8Data Minimisation
Standard 9Data Sharing

Default Settings

1 controls
Controls in the Default Settings domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UKAADC-3Default Settings, Data Minimisation, Sharing

Online Tools

1 controls
Controls in the Online Tools domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UKAADC-5Online Tools, Parental Controls, Reporting

Profiling

1 controls
Controls in the Profiling domain of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) — 1 controls
CodeTitle
UKAADC-4Profiling, Nudge, Geolocation, Connected Toys

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code), you already cover:

Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL)

35%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

Virginia CDPA

35%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

Uruguay DPL

35%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 106 more: UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation) (35%), Texas Data Privacy Act (35%)

See all 109 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 109 other frameworks

20 total controls
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL)
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
35%
Virginia CDPA
7 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
35%
Uruguay DPL
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
35%
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
7 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
35%
Texas Data Privacy Act
7 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
35%
Taiwan PDPA
7 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
35%
Switzerland New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP/nDSG, 2023)
7 source controls mapped|13 target controls covered
35%
Saudi Arabia PDPL
7 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
35%
GDPR
7 source controls mapped|9 target controls covered
35%
Barbados Data Protection Act 2019
7 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
35%
Bahrain PDPL
7 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
35%
UK AI Regulation Framework
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
30%
TISAX - Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange
6 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
30%
Azerbaijan Law on Personal Data (2010)
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
30%
ISO/IEC 27400:2022
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
30%
Albania Law on Protection of Personal Data (Law No. 9887, 2008, amended 2014)
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
30%
SOC for Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Risk Management Examination
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
30%
Austria Data Protection Act (Datenschutzgesetz, DSG, amended 2018)
6 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
30%
ISO/IEC 23894:2023
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
30%
Sweden Data Protection Act (Dataskyddslag, 2018:218)
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
30%
Uganda Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019)
6 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
30%
South Korea ISMS-P
5 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
25%
UK Open Banking Standard
5 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
25%
ISO/IEC 29134:2023
5 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
25%
WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025
5 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
25%
SSAE 18 - Attestation Standards (SOC Reporting)
5 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
25%
AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
25%
APPI
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
25%
Azure Security Benchmark
5 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
25%
COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
5 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
25%
ISO/IEC 27557:2022 - Organisational Privacy Risk Management
5 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
25%
UK Data Protection Act 2018
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
25%
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
20%
SOC 2
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
20%
Estonia Personal Data Protection Act (Isikuandmete kaitse seadus, 2019)
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
20%
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
20%
Armenia Law on Protection of Personal Data (2015)
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
20%
SASB Standards
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
20%
ISO/IEC 29100:2024
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
20%
ISO/IEC 38500:2024 - Governance of IT
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
20%
MARS-E - Minimum Acceptable Risk Standards for Exchanges
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
20%
Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (RIDTPPA)
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
20%
Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
15%
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - Connected Product Safety
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
15%
UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
10%
ISO 13485
2 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
ISO 27799
2 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
ISO 27018
2 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-190
2 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
Nebraska Data Privacy Act
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
ISO 27017
2 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
ASD Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
South Korea Korea Internet Self-Governance Organisation (KISO) Code of Ethics
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
ISO/IEC 27011:2024
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
10%
CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) 2.0
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance for the Water Sector (American Water Works Association)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
UK Defence Standard 05-138 - Cyber Security for Defence Suppliers
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
ISO 26000:2010
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-124 Revision 2 - Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
US ITAR and EAR - Export Control and Data Security
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR)
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
10%
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes - Global Standards
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
FedRAMP High
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5.1 HIGH
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
FedRAMP Moderate
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 MODERATE
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
10%
ESRB Privacy Certified
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
10%
Section 508 - ICT Accessibility (Revised)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO 22739:2024 - Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies Vocabulary
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 8000 - Data Quality
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ICAO Annex 17 - Aviation Security (AVSEC)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
SANS Incident Handler's Handbook and PICERL Methodology
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) - Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 27031:2011
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
SQF Code Edition 9 - Safe Quality Food
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 22313:2020 - Guidance on Business Continuity Management Systems
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
API 1164
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
UAE Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) Regulations
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
EASA Part-IS - Information Security in Aviation
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO 27005
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 800-171A Rev 3 - Assessing CUI Security Requirements
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
BSI IT-Grundschutz
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
ISO 27019
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
NIST SP 1800-32
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
NFPA 1600 - Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 45001
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
IEC 62443
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 22000
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
UK Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) - Water Industry
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
APRA SPS 220 Risk Management (Superannuation)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 31000
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
5%
APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Annex 11 to EU GMP - Computerised Systems
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
AML/CTF Act 2006 (Australia)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ASIS SPC.1-2009 - Organizational Resilience Standard
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 27003:2017
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
5%
ISO/IEC 29147:2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Singapore Cybersecurity Act 2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
FBI CJIS Security Policy
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
UK Online Safety Act 2023
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
5%
Compare UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) with Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL)

What is UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) and who does it apply to?

UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) is a compliance framework from United Kingdom with 10 domains and 20 controls. The UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code), issued by the ICO under the Data Protection Act 2018, establishes 15 standards that online services likely to be accessed by children must comply with. Effective September 2, 2021, it sets expectations for how children's data should be handled by default. Applies to information society services likely to be accessed by children under 18 in the UK. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) actually require?

UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) has 20 controls organised across 10 domains. The largest domains are Children's Code Standards 10 to 13: Geolocation, Parental Controls, Profiling and Nudge (4 controls), Children's Code Standards 1 to 3: Best Interests, DPIA and Age Assurance (3 controls), Children's Code Standards 4 to 6: Transparency and Policies (3 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) do I already cover?

UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) maps to 109 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL) (35% coverage), Virginia CDPA (35% coverage), Uruguay DPL (35% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)?

Start your UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 20 controls and track your progress.

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