FTC Investigating Kids Apps Over Privacy Concerns

[1080p]

Why don't we put issues like this on the back burner and let's worry about this little December 31st deadline known as the "fiscal cliff", ok?

[ChristianJapan]

I hope they also request Apple to make GameCenter controllable under parental control and avoid these permanent login requests we have to cancel. I don't want my kid using GC at all.

[krye]

Those Talking Tom apps are the worst. There's like 20 different iterations. My kids got me to download a few of them for some cheap laughs. Next thing you know, they're being blasted with ads, in app purchases (which thankfully I disabled a long time ago) and links into youtube. They started playing with the app, next thing you know, they're in youtube watching a video of some grown man playing with a Mario plushie. WTH?

[thekev]

Originally Posted by dankly

Google data mining children....nothing wrong with that!
Poor google get such a hard time for such a credible organization.

One day you too can learn to read.

As of September, Apple and Google combined offered more than 1.4 million apps for downloading, up from 880,000 in March, the FTC said.

The staff randomly selected 200 apps each from the Google and Apple stores using the keyword "kids." After testing the apps, they determined that 60 percent of them transmitted the user's device identification to the software company or, more frequently, to advertising networks and data brokers that compile, analyze and sell consumer information for marketing campaigns.

[SnowLeopard OSX]

Originally Posted by 1080p

Why don't we put issues like this on the back burner and let's worry about this little December 31st deadline known as the "fiscal cliff", ok?

What can we do about the fiscal cliff? No point in getting all riled up over it -- when at the end of the day, only the non-collaborative children in congress can make the choice to finally come to a bi-partisan resolution to the fiscal cliff.

Let's keep politics in the politics section, haha.

[rjohnstone]

Originally Posted by 1080p

Why don't we put issues like this on the back burner and let's worry about this little December 31st deadline known as the "fiscal cliff", ok?

Considering the FTC has nothing to do with negotiating a "deal" for the fiscal cliff issue, I think they can continue to do THEIR job and not worry about what Congress and the Pres are doing.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Parents are supposed to sift through app code to determine whether any data collection is being done?

No. How about not letting your kids use junk like this?

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

No. How about not letting your kids use junk like this?

Junk like what?

[WestonHarvey1]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Junk like what?

Apps, I guess.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by gotluck

This article is not about Google.
Good reading comprehension!

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has released a report examining apps aimed at children on the App Store and the Google Play marketplace. The report, entitled Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade, is a followup from a survey of kids' apps performed in 2011 that also looked at privacy policies and other practices for apps aimed at children.

Good reading comprehension!

[alent1234]

Originally Posted by krye

Those Talking Tom apps are the worst. There's like 20 different iterations. My kids got me to download a few of them for some cheap laughs. Next thing you know, they're being blasted with ads, in app purchases (which thankfully I disabled a long time ago) and links into youtube. They started playing with the app, next thing you know, they're in youtube watching a video of some grown man playing with a Mario plushie. WTH?

ha, i remember when those apps were really cool

then the developers ruined them where everywhere you touch you get blasted with some In app purchase. my older kid stopped playing with those apps when they ruined them

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by WestonHarvey1

Apps, I guess.

Exactly right. What "apps" (why did we stop calling things computer programs?) does a kid need to download? Computer games? Doro the dumbass? Let-me-blow-your-brains-out-VII? Math-games for lazy parents and teachers? Take your pick.

Kid needs a word processor, Excel or access to internet research? It's already installed. No need to download any "apps". Not gonna happen in my house until they're old and experienced enough to understand the consequences. And can buy their own computers.

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Exactly right. What "apps" (why did we stop calling things computer programs?) does a kid need to download? Computer games? Doro the dumbass? Let-me-blow-your-brains-out-VII? Math-games for lazy parents and teachers? Take your pick.

Your kids must be overjoyed.

[MacMilligan]

The apps we are working on do not collect any information what-so-ever except in-app save data (such as preference settings and in game flags) that are never transferred off the device. I'm surprised Apple hasn't stepped up with a tougher review process for apps targeting children.

[gotluck]

Originally Posted by mrsir2009

Good reading comprehension!

For gods sake yes the article mentions google but it is about apps!

I cant tell if you are playing with me or not

[1080p]

Originally Posted by rjohnstone

Considering the FTC has nothing to do with negotiating a "deal" for the fiscal cliff issue, I think they can continue to do THEIR job and not worry about what Congress and the Pres are doing.

"Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) asked the FTC to examine the practices of photo uploads to app developers earlier this year, and the FTC has previously examined the practice of a PR-firm arranging fake app reviews of App Store games." - OP (MacRumors Story)

I think our senators can be doing better with their time.

[WestonHarvey1]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Exactly right. What "apps" (why did we stop calling things computer programs?) does a kid need to download? Computer games? Doro the dumbass? Let-me-blow-your-brains-out-VII? Math-games for lazy parents and teachers? Take your pick.

Kid needs a word processor, Excel or access to internet research? It's already installed. No need to download any "apps". Not gonna happen in my house until they're old and experienced enough to understand the consequences. And can buy their own computers.

I get trying to shield your kids from porn - but computer software in general? Are you an adherent of some bizarre anti-software religion?

By the way, the abbreviation "app" goes back to at least the 1980s.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

Your kids must be overjoyed.

Yeah, actually yes. They're doing ok. And there are not too many limitations actually in our house with normal stuff. They can read whatever they want for instance. You know, books and stuff. But no Angry Birds or anything like that for us. They want to play computer games then they need to learn how to program them for themselves. Pretty simple. I don't need a government agency reading the fine print for us.

[hayesk]

Originally Posted by gotluck

Well then this is about Apple just as much...

Doesn't iOS confirm access to your phone number and other access info. And device IDs are no longer allowed to be used.

[WestonHarvey1]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

They want to play computer games then they need to learn how to program them for themselves.

Now that's an idea I can get behind.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by WestonHarvey1

I get trying to shield your kids from porn - but computer software in general? Are you an adherent of some bizarre anti-software religion?

By the way, the abbreviation "app" goes back to at least the 1980s.

Completely non-religious. And guess what: I don't really object to porn either within, say, normal boundaries. My kids are still pretty young so at least that's not an issue yet. But I'd rather have a 16-year old, err, explore his or her interests in that area than allowing anything that leads to hours upon hours of completely and utterly wasted time with stupid and at times brutal junk.

My objecting to this stems from observations of what this can potentially do to people. I know a few very unfortunate folks who fell into the "gamer" trap and it has ruined their lives. I can't prove that of course since without their computer game addiction they would have found something else to waste time and brain power. But I suspect that this kind of stuff can spin out of control fairly easy. It's like drugs or alcohol or bad eating habits. Anything in moderation is usually ok once you understand the power of things. But you wouldn't want to give a 9-year old access to the beer in the fridge or the Bordeaux in the basement, right? Not a good idea no matter what the government-regulated fine print may or may not say on the bottle.

[LagunaSol]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

They want to play computer games then they need to learn how to program them for themselves.

I bet you're a lot of fun at parties.

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Originally Posted by 7enderbender

And guess what: I don't really object to porn either within, say, normal boundaries.

*****

I know a few very unfortunate folks who fell into the "gamer" trap and it has ruined their lives.

You worry about game addiction yet have no issue with porn?

Wow.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

I bet you're a lot of fun at parties.

You'd be surprised.. :-)

[gotluck]

Originally Posted by hayesk

Doesn't iOS confirm access to your phone number and other access info. And device IDs are no longer allowed to be used.

I believe so, android also has explicit permissions as well though.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by LagunaSol

I bet you're a lot of fun at parties.

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You worry about game addiction yet have no issue with porn?

Wow.

Pretty much, albeit very simplified. I thought it was something between hilariousness and scary that the big scandal with Grand Auto Theft or whatever was that there were some titties and prostitutes build in somewhere - yet nobody seemed to be bothered by the underlying theme. But even that's not even the point really. To me the question is always: you have nothing better to do?