Two advocacy groups on Wednesday called on the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether apps that Google’s Play Store labels as “Teacher approved” are unlawfully collecting personal data without parental consent to target ads at children. To address concerns from parents about kid-safe apps, Google markets some as meant for families and even “Teacher approved”. In a complaint filed to the FTC on Wednesday, the advocacy groups contend Google’s labelling is deceptive because some apps are violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA. In 2019, Google started asking developers to specify when their apps are targeted at children to help better enforce its policy requiring that apps comply with COPPA. That move by Google followed a 2018 complaint to the FTC by CCFC, CDD and other groups raising concerns about the company’s app store enforcement measures.

Source: The Irish Times March 31, 2021 05:48 UTC