Latest FTC's Guidelines to Protect the Privacy of Children Using Mobile Applications
Last month Apple tentatively agreed to pay an estimated $US100 million ($98m) in kind and cash to US parents whose kids bought virtual fish, unicorns, fairies and make-believe money - at exorbitant prices - while using bait apps.
The incident alarmed Apple, and now the company is offering parental security feature to give parents more control over their kids’ activity on Apple devices.
The company could have avoided the unpleasant circumstances if the developers had made it evident to the parents that the app they have downloaded on their device comes with interactive features like in-app advertising.
There are many apps, available in Apple’s App Store and Google’s Android Market that offer little or no information to parents about the privacy practices. A number of apps come with interactive features, such as, advertising, the ability to make in-app purchases, and links to social media, without revealing these features to parents prior to download. Many of the apps available on the App Store and Google Play Store share personal information like; device ID, geo-location, or phone number. These apps shared kids’ information with third parties without disclosing these practices to parents.
The existing app ecosystem is not transparent when it comes to building apps for children. However, companies have started taking initiatives after a strict regulation passed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The FTC suggested smartphone companies and mobile app developers to be mindful of parental concerns, government regulations, and practice transparency with users of all ages. The commission also suggested:
• To incorporate privacy protections into the design of mobile products and services;
• The developers must offer parents, comprehensible choices about the data collection and sharing through kids’ apps;
• To provide better transparency about how data is collected, used, and shared through kids’ apps.
Apps introduce kids to a new form of learning, which can be made easy by using the play medium. Their intriguing features and engaging content have given a new dimension to the way kids learn today. Most of the kids use iPad and mobile devices without their parents’ supervision. Therefore, it is important for developers to provide a clear declaration to parents regarding what information is being collected for whom and for what purpose ?
The idea behind creating mobile apps for kids is to make learning a fun activity for children and not an annoying activity for parents. The developers must consider these privacy concerns, particularly when developing apps for kids.
For more information on iPhone app development and free quote send in your email to marketing@ymedialabs.com.
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