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Frequently Asked Questions - PRIVO

PRIVO information for parents and guardians

PRIVO information for students

PRIVO information for instructors

Frequently Asked Questions – What is PRIVO

 

1. What is PRIVO?

PRIVO is a secure third-party platform that helps CompTIA collect and manage parental consent for users under 18 before they access CompTIA services.

2. Why is CompTIA requiring parental consent now?

CompTIA requires parental consent to:

  • Protect minors’ personal data
  • Comply with laws like COPPA and global privacy regulations
  • Provide a safer experience for younger learners 

3. When does this change take effect?

The PRIVO process is planned to launch in June 2026. 

For Students / Candidates

4. How do I know if this applies to me?

When you create or log into your CompTIA account, you’ll be asked for your birthdate. If you are under 18, parental consent will be required before you can continue. 

5. What happens if I don’t get parental consent?

Without consent, you won’t be able to access CompTIA learning or certification services until approval is completed.

6. How long does the process take?

In most cases, the consent process is quick and completed online, depending on how fast the parent/guardian responds.

For Parents / Guardians

7. What will I be asked to do?

Parents or guardians will:

  • Review how the child’s data is used
  • Verify their identity as an adult
  • Approve or decline access
  • Optionally manage or revoke consent later 

8. Is my personal information safe?

Yes. Information collected is used only for identity verification and consent purposes and is handled securely. 

9. Can I change my decision later?

Yes. You can revoke consent at any time, which will impact your child’s access to services. 

10. Can I see what data is collected about my child?

Yes. PRIVO allows you to review what data is collected and how it is used before granting consent.

For Schools / Educators / Test Centers

11. Do schools need to collect consent anymore?

No. PRIVO eliminates the need for schools or test centers to manage consent manually. 

12. What are the benefits for institutions?

  • Reduced administrative work
  • Standardized process
  • Increased compliance and trust

Technical / Process Questions

13. How does PRIVO verify parents?

PRIVO uses secure verification methods to confirm that the person providing consent is a legal adult.

14. What if there is an issue with consent or verification?

Parents can contact PRIVO Support, and CompTIA-related access issues can be handled by CompTIA support. 

15. Will all users need to confirm their age?

Yes. All users will be required to confirm their age, and only minors will go through the parental consent process.

PRIVO Information for Parents and Guardians: FAQs

 

1. What is PRIVO?

PRIVO is a trusted third-party service that CompTIA uses to collect verifiable parental consent for users under the age of 18. It is an FTC-approved COPPA Safe Harbor provider focused on protecting children's personal information online. 

2. Why do I need to provide parental consent?

Parental or guardian consent is required to comply with child privacy laws (such as COPPA) and to ensure that a minor’s personal information is handled safely before they can access CompTIA services. 

3. When will I be asked to give consent?

You may receive a consent request if:

  • A minor creates a new CompTIA account
  • An existing user is identified as under 18

The account will remain on hold until consent is provided.

4. How will I know if consent is needed?

You will receive an email notification informing you that a consent request has been submitted. 

5. What do I need to do to provide consent?

If you approve the request, you will be directed to PRIVO to:

  • Review CompTIA’s features and privacy terms
  • Review what data is collected
  • Confirm the minor’s legal name
  • Complete adult identity verification

PRIVO offers multiple secure methods to verify your identity. 

6. What happens after I give consent?

Once consent is successfully completed:

  • You and the minor will receive confirmation emails
  • The minor will gain access to:
    • CompTIA Central
    • Learning resources
    • Exams and certifications (if applicable) 

7. What happens if I decline consent?

If you choose not to provide consent:

  • The account will not be activated
  • The minor will not be able to access CompTIA services
  • The minor’s first name and email address will be deleted

They will need to start over if they choose to register again later 

8. Can I change my mind later?

Yes. You can revoke consent at any time through the PRIVO platform.
If you revoke consent, the minor will immediately lose access to CompTIA services. 

9. Can I request deletion of my child’s account?

Yes. You can request permanent deletion of your child’s account by:

  • To initiate this request, contact PRIVO Support at support@privo.com or call 1-866-567-7486 (U.S./Canada) or 1-571-297-1799 (outside U.S./Canada).
  • Once completed, all associated data, including personal information, learning progress, and certifications, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. This process takes approximately 6–8 weeks.

10. Who can I contact for help?

 

Frequently Asked Question - PRIVO Information for Students

 

1. What is PRIVO?

PRIVO is a privacy solutions provider used by CompTIA to collect Verifiable Parental Consent (VPC) for students under 18. It is an FTC-approved COPPA Safe Harbor organization that helps protect minors’ personal information.

2. Why am I being asked for parental consent?

CompTIA requires parent or legal guardian consent before minors can create accounts or access services. This ensures your personal information is protected and complies with child privacy regulations.

3. Can I create a CompTIA account if I am under 18?

Yes, but your access will be limited until parental, guardian, or authorized instructor consent is approved through PRIVO.

4. What happens when I create an account as a minor?

  • You must provide a parent/guardian or instructor email
  • Your account will be placed on hold
  • You cannot log in until consent is approved

5. What happens after consent is approved?

  • You will receive a confirmation email
  • You can log in to CompTIA Central
  • You can access learning resources, exams, and certifications

6. What if consent is denied or not completed?

  • Your account will remain inactive
  • You cannot access CompTIA services
  • If not completed within 90 days, your account may be deleted

7. What happens if consent is revoked later?

  • Your access to CompTIA Central and services will stop immediately
  • You will no longer be able to use learning, exam, or certification features

8. Can my account be deleted?

  • Yes. A parent, guardian, or instructor can request deletion: This is permanent
  • All personal data, progress, and certifications will be deleted
  • Data cannot be recovered
  • The process can take 6–8 weeks

To initiate this request, contact PRIVO Support at support@privo.com or call 1-866-567-7486 (U.S./Canada) or 1-571-297-1799 (outside U.S./Canada). Once completed, all associated data, including personal information, learning progress, and certifications, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

9. Who can I contact for help?

  • PRIVO support (consent issues): support@privo.com
  • CompTIA support (account issues): available via the support link in the document

 

Frequently Asked Questions - PRIVO Information for Instructors 

 

1. What is PRIVO?

PRIVO is a trusted third-party service that CompTIA uses to collect verifiable parental consent for users under the age of 18. It is an FTC-approved COPPA Safe Harbor provider that helps protect minors' personal information online.

2. Why is PRIVO required for minor learners?

CompTIA requires verifiable parental consent before minors can create accounts or access learning and certification services. This helps ensure compliance with child privacy laws, including COPPA and other global privacy regulations, while protecting minors' personal information.

3. What is the instructor's role in the PRIVO process?

In most cases, parents or legal guardians are responsible for providing consent.

In certain academic environments, instructors may be authorized to provide consent on behalf of a minor only when:

  • The institution has a formal agreement with CompTIA
  • Specific instructors have been designated as authorized to grant consent
  • The instructor has been set up in CompTIA Central by CompTIA operational staff

Instructors should not provide consent unless this authorization process has been completed.

4. How does instructor-based consent work?

When instructor consent is authorized:

  1. The student creates a CompTIA Central account and enters the instructor's email address
  2. The instructor receives an email requesting them to give or decline consent
  3. If the instructor approves the request, they complete the PRIVO workflow, including adult verification
  4. Once the process is complete, the minor gains access to CompTIA Central and related services

Until consent is granted, the student's account will remain on hold with no access.

5. Are instructors required to verify their identity?

Yes. Instructors who grant consent must complete a one-time adult verification process through PRIVO.

Verification methods may include:

  • Government-issued ID
  • Credit card
  • PayPal or Stripe
  • Partial Social Security number

All verification is handled securely by PRIVO and is used only for consent purposes.

6. What happens if consent is revoked?

If consent is revoked by a parent, guardian, or authorized instructor:

  • The minor will immediately lose access to CompTIA Central and all related platforms and services

7. Can instructors request account deletion for a minor?

Yes, with important limitations.

  • Instructors may request deletion of learning records only
  • Only a parent or legal guardian can request deletion of certification records

Instructors may request deletion of learning data only.

If an instructor wishes to request deletion of a minor’s learning data, a special request must be placed with CompTIA & PRIVO.

To initiate this request, contact PRIVO Support at support@privo.com or call 1-866-567-7486 (U.S./Canada) or 1-571-297-1799 (outside U.S./Canada).Once completed:

8. If an instructor granted consent, can a parent revoke it?

Yes. Parents or legal guardians retain ultimate rights over their child's data.

A parent or guardian may:

  • Revoke consent at any time
  • Request deletion of the minor's account

If consent is revoked, the minor will immediately lose access to CompTIA services.

In some institution-managed scenarios, coordination with the institution or the CompTIA Legal team may be required for deletion requests.

9. What happens for existing minor accounts when PRIVO launches?

After PRIVO launches, all users returning to CompTIA Central will be asked to confirm their age.

  • Adults will continue as normal
  • Minors will enter the PRIVO consent workflow

If consent is not granted:

  • The account will remain on hold
  • After 90 days, a record deletion workflow may be triggered

10. Who can instructors contact for help?