The hugely popular apps Number Coloring, Princess Salon and Cats & Cosplay have been removed from the Play Store, following an investigation by the International Digital Accountability Council (IDAC), which found that the apps collect large amounts of data, violating Google.
Developers of apps that target children are governed by a particularly strict set of policies, unlike those that target general audiences. Among the requirements is that the content provided must be appropriate for children. They are also required to use Google Play certified ad SDKs to serve ads.
The developers reportedly used Android Advertising ID (AAID) technology , which deploys persistent identifiers. Regarding data collection, developers of apps for kids must disclose any personal information their apps may collect on the Play Store. This information includes microphone, authentication information, device data , and advertising identifiers. Google said it is working with privacy organizations to prevent developers from violating the rules.
International privacy regulators are moving to further regulate information collected by technology companies, especially about children. Facebook is already under investigation in Europe by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) for possible failure to implement data protection measures for users under the age of 18.
Instagram , it is being investigated for allowing sensitive information such as minors' phone numbers and email addresses to be published on the platform. Facebook declined to comment on its data privacy rules, but said it was cooperating with Ireland's DPC.
The DPC is the EU's top data regulator, with the power to issue fines once evidence of a breach. The DPC is looking into whether Facebook should even be allowed to process children's personal data.
Source: TechSpot
