As the privacy issue escalates its profile in both headlines and user concerns, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) criticised Google and Apple regarding potential violations of children’s privacy rights in the mobile apps for kids. As kids increase use mobile phones and tablets, the wider the potential problem becomes.
Child privacy laws there require online firms to gain parental permission when the children are less than 13 years old, but they don’t clearly delineate what information is being collected, how it will be used and to whom it might be disseminated or for what purpose, despite the legal requirement to do otherwise.
The FTC stated that they would be looking at not just Google and Apple but at the specific developers of apps to determine whether appropriate steps are taken to protect children’s privacy or not.
The report outlined that apps could be tracking geolocation, contact lists, phone numbers and
“other unique identifiers.”
Neither Google nor Apple discloses information freely or often. Usually, privacy policy statements include phrasing in general terms, and app developers seem to usually reveal less, according to the report.
The FTC Chairman, Jon Leibowitz, stated:
“Companies that operate in the mobile marketplace provide great benefits, but they must step up to the plate and provide easily accessible, basic information so that parents can make informed decisions about the apps their kids use.”
Neither Apple nor Google had yet responded to the report, but Morgan Reed, executive director of the Association for Competitive Technology, had:
“Many children’s education app developers are unaware of privacy regulations and how they may be interpreted to prevent seemingly innocuous features.”
Some children’s games require purchase of game tokens or electronic props to continue or advance in games. Parents have complained that apps encourage children to spend real money for fictional prizes or tools. One parent noted that her child spent $99 for imaginary Smurfberries in the Smurfs’ Village game.
The FTC is considering legislation that would curtail or vastly restrict that practice by app developers.
“The ability of children to purchase items within mobile applications has been a subject of concern in media reports and by members of Congress, as parents may not know about such capabilities.”