The FTC Is DisAPPointed With Mobile Apps For Kids

Here’s a report from the FTC expressing its disappointment with the current app market. Apparently, based on research conducted by FTC staff, most kid friendly mobile apps available from the Apple and Android markets don’t clearly disclose much about their data collection and sharing practices. That is a mistake. The FTC has the authority to enforce the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) and that law applies to mobile apps. According to COPPA, operators of interactive online services (which include mobile apps) directed to kids under the age of 13 need to obtain parental consent before collecting personally identifiable information from those kids. If you are involved in any way with an app or an interactive Web site that might appeal to children, you probably should check this publication out, especially pages 3-4. The FTC gets cranky when it’s disappointed.