Youth Sports Organizations Urged to Enhance Cybersecurity for Age Verification
Youth sports organizations are increasingly requiring parents to submit copies of birth certificates to verify age eligibility, a practice that raises concerns about the security of children's sensitive personal information. Many leagues expect coaches or volunteers to carry or store these documents throughout a season, which poses a risk of data theft due to the lack of cybersecurity safeguards. The industry, now a multibillion-dollar sector, often relies on volunteers and small nonprofits that do not have the same level of data protection as banks or government agencies. The collection and retention of birth certificates, which contain valuable identity information, are seen as unnecessary and potentially harmful. Alternatives such as one-time verification or third-party credentialing services are recommended to confirm eligibility without compromising privacy. 
