233 apps sent data to ad networks

Apps

children’s data, often to marketers. The report said most apps failed to tell parents when they involved interactive features such as advertising, social network sharing or allowing children to make purchases for virtual goods within the app.

The report added that some of these practices could violate the FTC’s prohibition against unfair or deceptive practices. The practices could also violate a federal law, called the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, or COPPA, which requires website operators to obtain parental permission before collecting or sharing the names, phone numbers, addresses or other personal information about children younger than 13.

The report, titled “Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade,” is part of the FTC’s preparations to strengthen the children’s online privacy rule. Over the past few months, however, some prominent media companies, app developers and advertising industry groups have pressed FTC commissioners to water down the agency’s proposed updates to the COPPA rule.

The agency hopes to update rules to keep up with developments in