On December 10, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission issued the report, Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade, concluding that mobile app developers have made little progress in providing parents with clear information regarding the data collection and interactive features of apps geared toward children. This new report is a follow up to the FTC’s first survey of children’s apps conducted in 2011.
The new report found a significant discrepancy between the privacy disclosures and the actual practices of many children’s apps. The FTC in the report urges app developers to 1) incorporate privacy protections into the design of the mobile apps and services; 2) provide parents with clear choices about the data collection and sharing; and 3) provide greater transparency regarding how data is collected, used and shared.
In addition, the FTC warned it is launching multiple nonpublic investigations to determine whether certain apps have violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act or engaged in deceptive trade practices.
The full FTC report can be found here: Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade
Written by Nick Stamos, Associate | Alston & Bird LLP